Celebrations led by contractor Willmott Dixon have taken place in Yardley Wood, Birmingham this month (September 2020) - marking the official ‘topping out’ of £19 million works to deliver a new three-storey secondary academy school. 

Christ Church, Church of England, Secondary Academy – which is due to open in 2021 – has been built on behalf of the Birmingham Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust and will create a further 1,150 school places in the region.

Designed by architecture firm CPMG Architects, the new building comprises of a pick-up and drop-off area for pupils, a sports hall, two full-size football pitches and one FA standard 3G pitch. The new school will accommodate 900 pupils and a further 250 students in the sixth form.  

Dan Doyle, operations director at Willmott Dixon, said: “We are pleased to have worked with the Birmingham Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust to create a new contemporary building which meets the needs of the local community. This new building enhances the current area and provides state of the art facilities for students and create an outstanding school for Yardley Wood.”

Constructed through the Department for Education Framework, the new building was designed to be both elegant and sophisticated, using robust and durable materials that will stand the test of time.  

A spokesperson for the Birmingham Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust said: “We are pleased to be able to lead a brand-new school in this area and are looking to provide exceptional educational provision for the young people of Yardley Wood, in this state of the art, Church of England School.”

During the build Willmott Dixon is collaborating with local schools as part of its enrichment programme – part of this engagement work has included hosting a five-week programme, where young people gain personal and professional skills including communication, teamwork, problem-solving and leadership – endorsed by HRH Prince Charles.