The University of Birmingham School was the first academy free secondary school to be assigned to a particular university. This is a new model of education, bringing together the best of university research and teaching with best practice in secondary education. 

The school's success was supported by the university's estates team and the school's preopening team working closely with the Interim Director of Operations for the school. Wilmott Dixon, TECHNAL UK and Associated Architects also collaborated to ensure a high standard of building design to complement the equally high teaching methods. As a result, the school has been used as a standard since opening in 2015.

TECHNAL Dualframe 75 Si Casement windows were specified for this project in a 210mm high module to achieve the required available air flow and light transmission. This is the ideal solution for education, healthcare and commerical applications due to the combination of good ventilation with practical features like easy operation and large span openings (with separate safety restrictors) all whilst remaining cost-effective. 

Stormframe STII Commercial Doors were specified to achieve robustness and increased thermal insulation. Elegance 52 ST Curtain Walling was also used to deliver more natural light into the project without sacrificing weather performance, thermal insulation and ease of fabrication. 

Dean Sherwood, Project Consultant at TECHNAL commented on his involvement saying, "With pupils and teachers in mind, it was important to acheive robust and safe operation and the anti-finger trap stiles and stronger profiles do this whilst maintaining elegant design."