Hampshire County Council

Education Buildings Advisory Group

1 October 2002

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item

16 October 2002

The Petersfield School

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

The Petersfield School is an 11 - 16 comprehensive school with a current number on roll of 934 pupils. The school is located on the south western outskirts of Petersfield in the east of the County and in 1999 it became a Foundation school. The school was constructed in 1957 and additional accommodation has been added in the 1960's and 1970's with the latest phase of development, to extend the maths block, being completed in 1998.

1.2

Following the sale of part of the school sports field for an adjoining development the school and its governors have agreed to use the sale proceeds to provide a performing arts centre at the school.

1.3

Following a successful bid under the 2002/03 Seed Challenge Initiative an allocation of £165,000, excluding fees, has been made in the Education Committee's 2002/03 capital programme. This funding, along with a contribution of £605,000, excluding fees from the school, will be combined to realise the proposed new performing arts centre proposals.

1.4

The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has progressed the design of the proposed new development and the purpose of this report is to outline the proposals and seek approval to the attached design project appraisal.

2.

Scope of the Works

2.1

It is proposed to construct a single storey, double height space drama block to the south east of this school site. The new accommodation will adjoin the southern elevation of the existing drama block and will provide a drama studio of some 200m², incorporating a stage and some ten rows of retractable seating, box office, gallery/foyer, lobby, electrics/lighting room, kitchenette, a secure equipment store and chair store. The mezzanine space will provide a gallery, staff office, control room and air handling plant. The new drama studio will use amplified sound and music along with lighting rigs and stage sets.

2.2

The foyer and stores of the existing drama room will be altered to make way for the new drama studio and a new entrance will be formed on the western elevation of the building. The existing drama room will be modified to provide new changing rooms, male, female and an accessible WC within the building.

2.3

A paved courtyard will be created between the new accommodation and the existing music block to the east which will include an amphitheatre for outdoor performances. A row of trees will be planted to line the northern elevation of the building and courtyard and a second row of trees will be planted south of the courtyard, between the drama block and music block, which will offer visual screening from the residential properties on Cranford Road to the south.

2.4

The new accommodation will be constructed on an area of existing car park and as part of this scheme twenty five replacement car parking bays will be created to the south west corner of the site to replace those which will be lost to the new development. Low level planting beds will be established around the adjacent new and existing car parks.

2.5

At the request of the school it is intended to include a package of work within the tender for the upgrade of the heating in the existing music block. This will include the replacement of the existing gas boiler and installation of a new radiator heating system. This element of the work will be included as a separate package of work within the overall tender and will be included in the contract if further funding is made available by the school.

3.

Funding and Timing

3.1

An allocation of £165,000, excluding fees, has been included in the Education Committee's 2002/03 Capital Programme from the Seed Challenge Initiative. The school has made a contribution of £605,000, excluding fees, following the sale of part of the school playing field. The total funding available for the proposed new performing arts centre is £770,000, excluding fees.

3.2

It is anticipated that tenders will be invited during November 2002 and work will commence on site during January 2003 and be completed during September 2003.

Conclusion

The proposed new teaching accommodation will provide a new performing arts centre suitable for teaching and performances. Approval is accordingly sought to the attached building design project appraisal.