Opening of New Arts Facilities at Denbigh School

The new Arts Facilities at Denbigh School were officially opened on Wednesday, 4th November 2015. Guests at the opening ceremony included staff and students of the school, TV actress and sportswoman, Ann Marie Davies, the Mayor of Milton Keynes Councillor Keith McLean, and representatives from the Contractors Willmott Dixon and Architects GSSArchitecture.

During the ceremony, guests were given tours of the new facilities, and were entertained by creative performances from Dance, Drama, Music and Art students.

The scheme comprises a large new build extension which is the hub for creativity, and includes contemporary classrooms for music, drama and art, and a separate music recital room and a double- height dance studio. Externally, a new amphitheatre has been located close to the music recital  room, which will allow for outdoor musical performances.

Additionally, there is a 300 seat hall with retractable seating, which creates a flexible space  for musical and theatrical performances, and general school use. Several areas have also been carefully designed and located to benefit local community groups, and will be used to provide a variety of activities.

The development also involved refurbishment works to provide a new Sixth Form Centre, two new Science Labs, a new Food Technology classroom, and a dining area with a mezzanine floor to provide students with modern, vibrant and spacious, learning and sociable environments.

GSSArchitecture Partner-in-Charge, Tom Lyons said, “It has been a great pleasure to see the new arts facilities at Denbigh School open. This is an exciting development which has created modern, high quality facilities that will encourage students to take part in music and the dramatic arts. The personalised learning and dining space allows students to interact through the flexible and dynamic environment.”

Headteacher, Andy Squires said, “At Denbigh we have the highest aspirations for our students and these fantastic new facilities will help them to achieve their academic goals. The new space also gives students the opportunity to experience a huge range of extra-curricular activities, helping them to grow as individuals – which is something we are truly passionate about at Denbigh School. As only one of two outstanding secondary schools in Milton Keynes, Denbigh was awarded Government funding to increase the capacity of the School, which has enabled us to accommodate more students from the local area. The new building is just the start of major changes to the School and what it can offer to existing and new students at Denbigh”