MP for West Bromwich, Sarah Coombes, visited Shireland CBSO Academy to see how the school puts music at the heart of its curriculum. She was welcomed by the senior leadership team and toured the Academy, observing lessons, visiting music workshops, and speaking with students.
The visit included a question-and-answer session with the student council, who shared their experiences of life at the Academy and asked the MP about her work in politics. Students also raised ideas about sustainability and recycling, highlighting their engagement with real-world issues. The exchange showcased the school’s role in fostering curiosity, confidence and ambition beyond the classroom.
Shireland CBSO Academy, established by Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust in partnership with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), is the first non-selective state school in Britain founded alongside a professional orchestra. Every student receives free instrumental or vocal tuition through Sandwell’s Music Service, SIPS, with opportunities to attend CBSO concerts and take part in masterclasses with professional musicians.
The MP also observed lessons delivering the school’s Literacy for Life (L4L) curriculum, which links subjects through themed units to help students make connections across their learning.
Principal David Green said: “It was a pleasure to welcome MP Sarah Coombes and showcase our work at Shireland CBSO Academy. Music is at the heart of everything we do. It is more than an extra, it shapes how our students learn, collaborate and develop their potential. Through our partnership with the CBSO and our unique approach to teaching, students gain experiences and skills across music and the wider curriculum that they simply would not get in most schools.”
The visit highlighted how Shireland CBSO Academy combines high-quality teaching with creative opportunities, giving students a rich and engaging learning experience.
