Bradford’s first City Academy, the new £20 million Bradford Academy which opened its doors to pupils on 10 September, has been designed by Bond Bryan Architects around a ‘forum’ where students can meet to socialise and to hold debates, as encouraged by the academy’s special focus on citizenship, enterprise and conflict resolution.

It is believed to be the UK’s first school with a forum specifically designed to encourage debate.

The 10,000 square metre academy, for pupils aged 11-18, is co-sponsored by the charity Toc H and by Bradford Church of England Diocese and replaces Bradford Cathedral Community College. 

Bond Bryan Architects, have incorporated the 15m by 30m two-storey forum into the centre of the building.  It features an ETFE roof, similar to that at The Eden Project, which is transparent, lightweight and recyclable.

This space is located at the centre of the Academy and feeding directly off it is the atrium, assembly hall, drama studio, dance studio, LRC and citizenship area. The ICT areas feature large and small ICT classrooms directly off the main teaching area and individual drop-in ICT workstation around the perimeter of ICT classrooms.

The courtyard also has a built-in performance space.

Bond Bryan’s Project Architect John Hope says:  “There is a great emphasis on light in this building, hence the ETFE roof.  We have designed in a lot of glass and open spaces throughout the building. 

“We have based the design very closely on the needs of the issue of citizenship and created a stimulating environment.  I can’t wait to see it filled with pupils.”

Gareth Dawkins, principal at the academy, says:  “We are particularly excited about the forum which will become a modern-day market-place for meeting, talking, reading, performing and debating.

“Our pupils will be learning in what we believe is the best-designed academy in the country and where their skills and talents will be encouraged to flourish in an exciting, thought-provoking building.”