3rd March 2016

The Performing Arts Centre has been shortlisted for a prestigious RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) award in the South West.  One of only sixteen buildings shortlisted from forty nine entries, the RIBA judging panel will be visiting Beaudesert shortly and the winners will be announced at the end of April.

The Performing Arts Centre was designed by MEB Design Ltd who are based in Oxford and the building displays a number of standout features including outstanding flexibility in terms of how the spaces can be used – for example double height walls that move.  Created to the sort of specifications only usually found in dedicated music and drama schools, the centre also features sound-proof music pods.

The entire project is acutely energy-efficient courtesy of features such as ‘breathability’ instead of air conditioning.   It was also designed to blend into its surroundings as seamlessly as possible.  A ‘living wall’ of plants faces Minchinhampton Common while vertical timbers of differing lengths reflect the trunks and canopy of the surrounding trees.

RIBA South West regional director, Jon Watkins, said ‘RIBA Awards always bring out the best in local and national architects across our vast region, and this year’s shortlist offers quality, diversity of type and scale, excellence in design and lots of delight.’

Tuesday 30th June 2015

At 3pm we shook hands with the builders, thanked them for all their hard work and bade them farewell after 18 months of construction.  At 3.05pm we started setting up for our first concert…….  With a variety of performances from flute group to brass bands, recorders to strings, some Year 8 soloists, choirs and the Beaudesert orchestra it was a fitting way to christen the new hall which was packed with parents and children.  The acoustics proved their worth and it was the first concert where everyone could see the performers either from the tiered seating or from the gallery.

September 2013

We are now embarking on a crucial phase of the school’s development by building a new Assembly Hall/Theatre and Music School (Performing Arts Centre).  Beaudesert has an excellent tradition of performance drama.  We believe that the ability to perform in front of an audience, however large, is a vital part of any child’s education and this new Hall will help us give all Beaudesert children both in the Prep and Pre-prep even more opportunities to develop this skill. The Performing Arts Centre will make it possible for four classes or groups to be engaged at any one time, in the foyer, the ensemble room and in the main auditorium which can be divided in half by a sound proofed screen.  The school will be able to gather together for assemblies and other events.  The Hall will be in constant use.

However, to push on to complete this next important piece of the jigsaw, we are looking for some help from the wider Beaudesert community.  The total cost of the building including the best possible internal provision is £3.5m.  Due to good housekeeping over the past few years, the school is able to afford the £3m needed to construct the building ready for its main use.  However, there is currently a gap of £500,000 which is needed to equip the building to a standard which will most benefit the children.

If anyone would like to make their mark on the future of Beaudesert or would like more details of the appeal please contact the Headmaster.

head@bps.school