The Bronte Girls Academy has asked BAM Construction to refurbish a 1980s office block and its adjoining conference centre to be reconfigured and updated into teaching and sports facilities. The now empty Future House office grounds in Bradford is the chosen location for the new Academy.

The £10.5 million scheme is approximately 5,000m² in area. At capacity it will provide facilities for 600 pupils. Designated as a Free School, Bronte Girls’ School will be open to all girls aged between 11 and 16 regardless of faith or no faith, ability or socio-economic background. It is managed by the Feversham Education Trust.

The Academy is being funded by the Government and BAM was appointed through the Department for Education’s capital framework scheme add words here.

Following the school’s consultation on its proposals which concluded last November, BAM has recently commenced work and plans to hand over the building in time for the start of September’s academic term. BAM will also conduct external works and create car parking.

BAM’s Yorkshire business was set up during the Second World War and in the 1960s, created the Institute of Technology in Bradford, several buildings for Bradford University, and in an echo of today’s announcement, in 1966 it built Hanson School for Girls. In the 1970s it created the Kirkgate Centre and refurbished the Alhambra Theatre during the 1980s.  Many other contracts in the City form part of its almost 90 year history in the county.

John Scahill, Pre-Construction Manager for BAM, said:

“Our long history in the City and understanding of working here, together with our collaborative style of working and our modern techniques, make us the ideal company to work on this structure. It’s been especially pleasing for us to have had such a big role in developing the city’s educational institutions, and to see its young people become the city’s new workforce. We have already established a strong partnership with the Trust and are enjoying working with them.”

The architects for the new school are Bond Bryan which has an outstanding track record in the education sector, and Leeds-based G&H Group will deliver the mechanical and electrical works.