 Elm Grove Primary School was built in 1893 as one of "a distinguished group of board schools" erected by the Brighton and Preston School Board between 1870 and 1903.It was designed by the Board's architects Simpson & Son (Thomas Simpson and Gilbert Murray Simpson).Architecturally, the variegated brickwork, terracotta decoration and wide range of decorative elements is characteristic of the "distinguished group of Board schools" in the area.