News and Events
Theatres Trust calls on school venues to improve
27th Jul 2010
In a new report, published by the organisation following a conference it held earlier this year on the subject, the trust calls on schools to underline the importance of their theatre provision when evaluating their own performance for Ofsted. It also recommends that schools consider employing theatre consultants while building new performing arts facilities and that staff are fully trained to make the most of the new spaces and equipment.
The conference also flagged up the differences in the facilities provided by state and independent schools.
Theatres Trust director Mhora Samuel commented: “In the independent sector there are many more purpose-designed, stand alone theatres. In the maintained sector, performances often take place in the main hall. These often have to be sufficiently flexible to accommodate school assembly, exams and sports activities.
“However, the theatre at Godolphin and Latymer School demonstrates that a school theatre can be designed as a high specification performance space and provide enough flexibility for other school uses.”
At the conference, there were also calls for the Theatres Trust to lobby so that it reviews all school theatre projects as part of its statutory consultee role in the planning system and that it develops case studies for other schools to use.
Source: The Stage
