CBSO in world first as it reveals academy tie-up
THE City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) has joined forces with an academy chain to create a new school where students can learn from international musicians in a ‘world first’ deal. Sandwell cabinet has approved a plan by Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust working with the CBSO to open a 750-pupil school specialising in music in West Bromwich.
Senior councillors have agreed to sell a redundant office block in Providence Place to the Department of Education (DfE) for £8 million.
Stephen Maddock, chief executive of the CBSO, said: “We are delighted that our exciting plan to bring this major new school to Sandwell – the first of its kind anywhere in the world – has moved a step closer today with Sandwell Council’s confirmation of the plans for the Providence Place site.
“We look forward to working with Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust to realise the fantastic potential of our joint plan over the next few years.”
The school will be built by the trust in a deal that senior councillors said they could not pass up.
Councillor Joyce Underhill, cabinet member for best start in life, said it would create places for 11-16 year-olds from across the borough and offer musical performances in West Bromwich Town Hall.
“Sandwell doesn’t get many opportunities offered by the DfE and other government she said.
“So when it comes along you have to grasp it with both hands and hit the ground running.”
She added: “If this project goes ahead it will give us much needed secondary places from 2023 which we have to find come what may.
“We are going to have a school provided by a very high performing academy sponsor which has very close links with Sandwell and also it going to enhance the cultural activities in the centre of the town by investment going into West Bromwich Town Hall.” Education bosses had said an alternative plan in which the council converted the office block into a school would cost £25 million and was unlikely to be funded by the DfE.
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