Tilbury Douglas completes construction of a brand-new DfE school – The Heights Academy

Tilbury Douglas has successfully completed the construction of a brand-new school in the West Midlands, The Heights Academy, on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE), ahead of schedule.

The new build two-storey school, located in Solihull, is situated on the site of the former Bosworth Infant and Junior Schools, and will provide accommodation for 116 pupils within the age range of 7 – 16, who have an Educational and Health Care Plan for Autism with associated Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

The facility includes features such as calming rooms, sensory immersion rooms, soft playrooms, breakout rooms and a nurses’ base. As many of the pupils will arrive via minibus, the site also has a separate and secure route for safe drop-offs.

Simon Butler, Managing Director Building Central at Tilbury Douglas, said: “It is a great achievement from all those involved to be able to hand over the new facility, ahead of its planned completion date, to Forward Education Trust, which will no doubt deliver a high-quality learning environment for the students.”

Simon Dilkes, Chief Executive Officer at Forward Education Trust, added: “Development of The Heights Academy is an important milestone for this Trust and for the children and parents in Solihull Borough. This is our second school development with Tilbury Douglas, having opened High Point Academy, Wednesbury in September 2021. A school specifically designed to meet the needs of children will strongly support us in providing the best possible education and care for the children, significantly improving their life chances as they move to adulthood.

“Alongside the DfE team and Solihull Borough Council, it has been a real pleasure to work with Tilbury Douglas. They have been responsive partners every step of the way and we are proud to have worked with them in establishing this new school.”

The project achieved an impressive 70% social value return on investment, which included more than £4,000 of donations in kind, 15 weeks of work placements, 60 weeks of apprentice training, 104 hours of educational support and 10 tonnes of wood waste saved through community wood recycling.