Originally founded in Gloucester by Robert Raikes in 1781, Sunday Schools came quickly to Birmingham. By 1784 the Reverends C Curtis and J Riland had initiated a meeting to discuss raising subscriptions and forming a society to support Sunday Schools in Birmingham. Twelve schools for girls and twelve schools for boys were opened in different districts of the town. By 1867 26,600 pupils were being taught in 62 schools by voluntary unpaid teachers who gave up their Sundays to 'rescue the children of the poor from ignorance and sin'.
This medal awarded for merit commemorates the Deritend & Bordesley schools.