The Old Silhillians Association is a private company limited by guarantee. All former pupils of Solihull School who have completed their GCSEs and/or A Levels at the school, together with all former and current members of staff, are automatically enrolled as members of the OSA.
The OSA owns and manages The Memorial Clubhouse, home of the Silhillians Sports Club and Conference Centre, and the majority of the 25 acres of grounds in Warwick Road, Knowle, with Solihull School owning the remainder of the grounds.
Originally called the Old Boys’ Club, the organisation was formed in 1921 by the then Headmaster, W.F. Bushell, for the former pupils of Solihull School. Dr A.V. Bernays, then Chairman of the School Governors, was the first President.
In 1948 the Club changed its name to The Old Silhillians Association and at the AGM on 9th December 1950 the Association adopted a modern set of Rules. These set out the Objects, including:
“The objects of the Association are to aid the School in every way possible, to further the preservation of friendships made between the Members when at School, and to create and foster relationships among all Old Boys of the School and to encourage a close relationship between Old Boys and the School.”
These remain the core objectives of the Association which has, of course, included Girls as well since 1975.
The school’s Development and Alumni Relations Office and the OSA continue to work closely to support the development of the school and promote fellowship within the Silhillian community. The OSA is committed to helping the school, its staff, and its current pupils in every way it can.
The Association offers former students and staff:
The clubhouse and its facilities are used by a wide range of groups and clubs who pay the Association for use of its facilities. Management of the Association is vested in the elected Committee which has up to fourteen members.
When Solihull School merged with St Martins School in 2020, the OSA Committee voted unanimously to extend a warm invitation to all members of the Saint Martin’s Old Girls to join the OSA at any of its events and enjoy the same facilities as Old Silhillians. A St Martins Old Girls representative also attends meetings of the OSA Committee.
The Old Silhillians Trust, run by Trustees elected by the OSA, historically provided scholarship awards to pupils entering the sixth form. In 2022 the Trust transferred approximately £100,000 from its investment portfolio to the school in exchange for the school agreeing to provide, in perpetuity, a full bursary in the name of The Old Silhillians Trust. For further information about the continuing work of the OSA Trust, please email OSAtrust@silhillians.co.uk.
News of former pupils and alumni activities can also be found on the Solihull School alumni web pages here.
Situated conveniently near the M42 Solihull junction, the Old Silhillians Memorial Clubhouse has been home to the OSA since 1964. After a £1.5 million+ development and refurbishment project completed in 2015, it offers three adaptable function rooms and full catering facilities available for commercial events and conferences, and for private parties, with capacity for up to 250 guests. The facility has car parking for over 350 cars and is used by clients ranging from individuals holding family parties, through to meetings and conferences for small local firms up to international companies.
The bar is available to all and is open 7 days a week. Old Silhillians and guests are always welcome to call in for a drink and meet friends old and new.
For any general enquiries about the Old Silhillians Association, please contact the OSA Secretary at osasecretary@silhillians.co.uk
Full information about the conference, meeting, and sports facilities available at the clubhouse can be found on this website www.silhillians.co.uk
The sports clubs which use the clubhouse as their home should be contacted via their websites: