Birmingham's Blue Coat School (established 1722) was one of many charity schools founded by the Church of England to educate children from poor families. Garbed in Tudor-period frocks - dyed blue, the traditional colour of almsgiving - the boys would have made a quaint sight as they were marched briskly to what was presumably supposed to be a fun outing.

Source: BFI

School procession of boys and girls. (Synopsis) Replacement title (0.06) Boys in two lines are marched towards the camera, directed by men. The boys wear black suits with knee length trousers, waistcoat and coat only buttoned at the top. With white neck ties, and tam o'shanter hats. They are followed by two lines of girls wearing black dresses with white aprons and black bonnets. Horses and carriages follow, and crowds watch on the left hand side (1.31). (Shotlist)

Source: BFI