Top arts venue plan for villages

A first modern venue for the arts in the Five Villages is to be created in Westergate Community School.

The facility will include 200 seats to provide groups and societies with professional surroundings in which to stage their productions.

Students will also be able to use the theatre-style area. It will be created by a refurbishment of the school's hall, probably in the autumn, as a result of the government's granting of specialist status in the visual and performing arts.

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Secretary of state for schools and learners Andrew Adonis's announcement was the biggest day in the history of the school.

It means students will gain from more chances to study and take part in the arts.

The government is providing 100,000 on top of the 50,000 which the school raised from various backers to pay for the creation of the arts venue.

A further sum of more than 100 a student will be paid each year for the next three years.

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Deputy headteacher Andrea Hill was in charge of the specialist status bid. She said: "This granting of specialist status is the most important day since we opened in January 2000. It's absolutely fantastic to get the status and it feels brilliant.

"It means the biggest single financial injection since we were built. The students will have more opportunities to become involved with the arts within the school and the community. They will take on more responsibility and could be helping to run art clubs in nearby primary schools."

Chances to visit theatres will also be on offer to students who have never before seen live entertainment, with making the arts a more

prominent feature throughout the curriculum.

Among those set to benefit from the new status is GCSE student Rosie Cunningham.

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The 14-year-old is studying music, art and graphics among her 11 exam subjects.

She said: "Being a specialist school will get more students involved with the arts now there will be better facilities.

"I love the arts. You can get so involved with them and they are always fun.

"I take part in all the school productions and we have to adapt the hall for whatever we are doing.

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"That's not as good as the new performing area will be and I'm looking forward to performing in it."

The official news from the government's Department for Children, Families and Schools about the status was released on January 31.

It follows a previous failed attempt by the Lime Avenue school of 730 students and several years of behind the scenes preparatory work.

The status officially takes effect from September 1. It will last for three years before it is re-assessed by the government.

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"The arts really enrich our lives," said Mrs Hill. "The world would be a poorer place without them.

"Creativity is the key skill that could be transferred to other areas of the curriculum.

"It's about building confidence. If you do that through performing to an audience, you can transfer that skill to other areas of the curriculum."

The emphasis on the arts will take effect alongside the usual academic subjects based around maths, English and science.

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