Client Department for Education
Sector Schools and Colleges, Education
Location West Midlands
Value £16m
Set up in partnership with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Shireland CBSO Academy is the first state school in Britain to be established in partnership with an orchestra. This partnership will ensure that young people from diverse backgrounds across the West Midlands can achieve musical excellence and have access to opportunities that will benefit the students for years to come.
The new Academy building has been created by the repurposing and refurbishment of an existing office block in West Bromwich and the addition of a new build sports block.
The facilities within the new 870 place secondary school include a 300 seat performance hall with dress circle and a dance studio which can double as a green room during performances. The project also includes specialist music rooms and practice rooms together with an activity studio.
The school’s music specialism meant high performing acoustic performance and detailing was required including the main performance hall meeting orchestral performance standards. Galliford Try’s experience of building the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire was crucial and working with our acoustic consultant, we assessed the acoustic performance of the existing structure and produced innovative solutions to meet the enhanced acoustic requirements.
