A SOUTHAMPTON school is set to boost its offering with the addition of a huge new drama studio.
King Edward VI school in Shirley is set to build the new 160m2, three-storey extension in a bid to "improve the overall functionality of the existing building".
The school, which teaches around 970 students between the ages of 11 and 18, was granted permission for the new site by Southampton City Council last week.
Also providing general teaching facilities the development will provide a "modern drama studio and rehearsal spaces" on the first floor with further art teaching space on the ground floor.
READ MORE: King Edward VI School plans extension for drama studio
Documents lodged with the city council, state: "Evolving methods of teaching and changing trends in education means a larger proportion of students are choosing to study arts and drama based subjects to GCSE and A level and as a result, more space is needed to allow a full and varied curriculum to be delivered.
"The extension will also allow existing sports and drama facilities to be reconfigured improving the overall layout of the existing building.
"The chosen location allows the proposed new facilities to be co-located with existing drama and arts spaces and provides the best functionality for the school, in terms of curriculum delivery."
Although there is not expected to be an increase in pupil numbers at the school, the building will enable the delivery of the full art, drama and sports curriculum.
The existing Twigg Theatre is currently being used as a specialist study centre.
It is named after Robert Twigg, a student who died in a tragic car crash on the A30 at Chattershill near Stockbridge 20 years ago.
Headteacher, Neal Parker, said that the sixth form has incorporated the existing Twigg Theatre as an extended specialist study centre but that the school wants to build its "fabulous new studio theatre for our students and the wider community".
"We know that it will hugely enhance our creative arts programme, as well as our partnership work across the city and county."
The development will see the felling of an existing mature tulip tree, which has been described as "regretful but necessary".
But the plans state that the school is "committed to greening its environment" having recently planted 14 trees on its grounds.
There are also plans for further planting and landscaping in the future.
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