Ceiling Solutions for a Modern UK School

Acoustic comfort in a vibrant school setting

Designed to accommodate 1350 students, Didsbury High School is a purpose-built, four-storey facility featuring state-of-the-art teaching, sports, and performance spaces. Delivered by BAM and Pozzoni Architecture for the Laurus Trust, the project had to meet demanding acoustic, environmental and aesthetic requirements. Rockfon ceiling systems were selected to provide tailored solutions that ensure sound control, durability, and visual coherence across the learning environment.

Tailored acoustic ceilings for every learning space

Pozzoni Architecture faced a complex design brief: address educational needs while overcoming site, cost and environmental challenges. Built on a compact urban site near a major Manchester route, the solution was an efficient ‘superblock’ – a four-storey layout with external terraces that support recreation and learning.

The interior design demanded tailored acoustic solutions for every space. Across two teaching floors, Rockfon Blanka dB41 was installed to reduce reverberation and limit room-to-room noise. With a matt, deep white surface and enhanced durability, it also helps maintain cleanliness in high-traffic educational zones.

For the two-storey drama studios, Rockfon Color-all in Charcoal was chosen for its expressive tone and excellent sound absorption. A total of 800 m² was installed to improve vocal clarity and comfort. The product’s fire classification of A1 and acoustic performance (αw up to 1.00) made it well suited to this demanding application.

At the heart of the building, ‘The Hive’ links key areas and brings daylight into the centre. Here, Rockfon Color-all tiles also support visual wayfinding, enhancing navigation for pupils. In corridors, classrooms and stairwells, Rockfon Tropic contributes to bright, functional interiors with high light reflectance and easy maintenance.

Service zones, including kitchens and changing rooms, required a robust solution. Rockfon Cleanspace, a non-hygroscopic tile with 100 % humidity resistance and pressure-washing durability, was used for its hygiene credentials and Class A acoustic performance. Its resistance to mould and bacteria supports safe learning spaces.

BAM’s Design Manager Lee Parker noted the collaboration with Rockfon and Ramboll acousticians in shaping the specification. “The Rockfon team and their ceiling systems helped us achieve success in creating a school which meets the acoustic requirements of BB93,” confirmed Ramboll’s Simon Taylor. Installer Graham Flynn added: “This was a great job with no issues and we are pleased to be working with Rockfon on two further major projects...”