It was founded as a boys' grammar school in the reign of King Edward VI, circa 1550.

In the 1960s, when administered by the City of Birmingham Education Committee, it had around 600 boys.

[citation needed] It was announced that the sixth form centre at Kings Norton boys school would close following the 2017–2018 school year and the year 7 intake increased to 150 students.

In September 2023, King’s Norton Boys’ School received approval from the West Midlands Regional Advisory Board into the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI, and is in the process of conversion, and expected to complete in January 2024, to become King Edward VI King’s Norton School for Boys.

The school was designated a Sixth Form Specialist Science College in 2004,[2] and a collaborative scheme exists for sharing 6th form resources with Kings Norton Girls' School.