Breaking ground at the new Reaside Academy, Birmingham

Representatives from Reaside Academy in Frankley Birmingham, University of Wolverhampton Multi-Academy Trust, Department of Education and ISG gathered on site to mark the commencement of the project which will provide Reaside with a much-needed new school facility within the existing school site. 

To mark the key milestone, children from each class were invited to create pieces to place inside a time capsule, including poems, pictures, letters to the future and other school memorabilia. 

The time capsule was buried on the new site ready to be uncovered by future generations. 

The Reaside Academy project was procured under the influential Department for Education construction framework (DfE), under which ISG is all set to deliver a string of recent wins. 

These include a tech-led digital primary academy in Monkerton, Devon, and three special education needs (SEN) facilities in Swindon, Ealing and Redbridge.

The latest public sector framework wins reflect the strength and depth of ISG’s supply chain partnerships and its collaboration with the DfE to develop a consistent approach to building school facilities.

With building works now well underway, the project will provide Reaside Academy with a new, modern school building where all ground floor classrooms will have direct access to shared external play areas. 

The new school will also serve the wider community with the new school hall being used by community groups.

The school will remain open while works continue and the former building will be demolished once the new school building is occupied. 

Headteacher, Mrs Wiseman, said: “It is fantastic that Reaside Academy will soon have an entirely new academy building, offering a much-improved learning environment for pupils and staff. 

“The building will not only help provide the children with the education that they deserve but will also benefit the wider Reaside community.

"We already have a very happy, committed and successful school community working in this building.

“All staff, governors and parent/carers work collaboratively and harmoniously together, to ensure our children receive a good start in life. 

“Thanks to the PSBP2 rebuild scheme, our hopes for a replacement school fit for the 21st century will soon be realised."

ISG regional director, Wayne Flannery, summarised: “This event marks a key milestone for the project, we’re proud to be creating such a transformational space that will allow not only the school but the community to thrive.”