New Co-operative Academy building lets students take centre stage

A new two-storey extension at the Co-operative Academy in Blackley, Manchester has been completed and handed over by Morgan Sindall Construction.

The £18.6 million building features a state-of-the-art 300-seat theatre including a professional specification lighting rig and acoustics, performing arts spaces and sports facilities.

To be used by both academy students and the local community, the theatre is the centrepiece of the development and will help the academy cater for an expected increase in student numbers in the coming years.

Morgan Sindall’s managing director for the north, Barry Roberts, said: “We have a strong track record of delivery in the education sector and this is another project of which we are particularly proud. It is a wonderful facility and one which we’re sure will serve the academy very well over the coming months and years.”

Frank Norris, director of The Co-operative Academies Trust added: “The extension will provide the academy with improved teaching facilities and community spaces. We are ambitious and want the new facilities to be of benefit to local residents. We believe we have secured a fantastic resource for Blackley.”

The original Co-operative Academy building to which the extension is attached, was built in 2007.

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