First British school to launch in collaboration with orchestra

The Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust has shared its plans to open a new secondary school in the West Bromwich area in collaboration with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO).

The Shireland CBSO Academy will be a non-selective state school for children from all backgrounds; it will be a six-form entry 11-18 secondary school and sixth form, with 150 students per year group. 

The Department for Education has approved the trust’s Free School application. In plans for the school, the trust states: ‘We want every student to have access to a “whole education” with music at its core.’

The new school premises will include performance spaces, a recording studio and music practice rooms.

Stephen Maddock OBE, chief executive of CBSO, said: ‘We are delighted to see this exciting new school come a step closer now the building work is beginning. The site is excellent, and together with our colleagues at the Shireland Trust we are committed to making a real difference in the lives of thousands of children and young people, giving them access to world-class musical opportunities whatever their background.'

'This new academy will form an exciting centrepiece of the CBSO’s huge learning, participation and talent development programmes.’

Sir Mark Grundy, Chief Executive of Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust: ‘As a Trust we are hugely proud to be asked to develop a new type of Free School and feel privileged to be creating a School with a curriculum focussed around Music in collaboration with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.’

‘The Arts enrich our young peoples’ lives in so many ways and the opportunity to create a school which nurtures the musical ability of the students in our locality is an honour. The partnership that is emerging between our Trust, the CBSO and Sandwell Local Authority is unique.’

shirelandcbso.org.uk