Work to start on Telford school's new £2.5 million music facility
Work will start this month on a £2.5 million scheme which will see new music teaching facilities built at a school in Telford.
Artist's impressions show how the new teaching facilities at Wrekin College in Wellington will look.
They will include a large double height orchestral rehearsal room, a suite of individual practice rooms and will directly link with the existing centenary theatre.
This marks the third new addition to facilities revealed this academic year and comes less than two years after the school opened its £1 million business school.
Headmaster Tim Firth said today it was a thrilling new development, which reflected a significant period of growth for the school and its commitment to providing the best all-round education for every pupil.
Planning permission has now been granted for the scheme, aimed at providing sophisticated teaching spaces with the most up-to-date technology available.
Following an extensive design and consultation process the final project will see the current music school demolished to make way for a stunning new building in its place.
Mr Firth said: “The existing music school dates back to the 1970s and internally the facilities are just not fit for purpose and space is restricted for both staff and pupils.
“We initially looked at updating this building but quickly realised that would not fully address the need for facilities that complimented and enhanced the excellent teaching we have here in the music department.”
Simon Platford. director of music at Wrekin College, said that when the school decided it was a project they wanted to progress they were determined to do it right with the best available acoustic set-up for ensemble playing and individual lessons.
He said: “This exciting scheme will create a music teaching facility of academic excellence with an amazing rehearsal place for bringing players together with professionally designed acoustics.”
Mr Platford said they were now determined to not only build on Wrekin’s current musical achievements, which have included winning national titles, but also help find and nurture the country’s top musicians of the future.
The school has announced it is offering scholarships for talented musicians particularly with strengths on those instruments officially listed as 'endangered'.
Mr Platford said: “We know cuts to the arts have had a detrimental effect across the board on how many children have access to music tuition and in some cases that has seen a massive fall in the number of people playing certain classical instruments to a high standard.
“Wrekin College is determined to tackle that issue head on. With regard to music scholarships to tie in with the new build we welcome applications from all instrumentalists and vocalists for entry.
"But this year we are actively seeking talented string players.
"Scholarships may be supplemented with a means-tested bursary to cover up to 100 per cent fee remission."
The new centre has been designed by Stuart Taylor of BHB chartered architects of Lichfield, with Colin Proctor at DPS Architects the overall project manager.
The contractors appointed to carry out the work are AM Griffiths & Son Ltd, with the project due to start on October 22.
Earlier this month the school unveiled both its new library and revamped sixth form social centre.
