New Theatre

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The theatre is one of our largest projects in the next eighteen months.  The plan is to create a theatre with a seating capacity of 350 people. It will be built with raised audiorium seating and the latest in audio-visual equipment. The theatre will also be hired out to business and other organisations allowing us to generate additional revenue for the school which can be re-invested back into education.

Phase 1: Ancillary staff facilities moved to a new site to make space for the theatre

First we have to move and re-build the ancillary staff quarters, canteen and workshops.  These will move to the other side of the railway lines, out of sight from the entrance and the playing fields.  This will open up the entire (current) entrance area of the school.

The new ancillary staff compex will include 15 rooms for staff living on-site, a new canteen and a new workshop with stores.  The space it opens up will allow us to create a ‘second centre’ of the school with the theatre, music schools and sports hall all opening up onto a central green space.

We expect the move and construction to take approximately two months and at present we want to target to do this in Oct/Nov 2011.

Phase 2: Construction of the theatre, ‘Popina’ cafe and small shop

Once the ancillary facilities have been moved we will begin construction on the theatre.  We expect this to take in the region of three months and plan to finish by the end of the Lent Term 2012.

This will transform drama and music for the school.  We will also hire out the facilities for additional revenue.

As part of the theatre complex, we plan to incorporate a small cafe, which we have already named ‘Popina’ and which will provide a calm place to relax.  There will also be a small shop integrated into the cafe where space can be rented to sell arts and crafts.  Finally we will have a gallery room that will better allow us to exhibit children’s art.

A full detailed proposal regarding the theatre can be downloaded here.