Community news

Pupils’ delight as housebuilder contributes £850,000 to North Cotswold school

- 12 May 20

Pupils at Chipping Campden School are delighted that the show can go on thanks to £850,000 of funding for a state-of-the-art performing arts centre from a local housebuilding group.

Drama, music, dance and art students could all benefit after Vistry Group – which includes Bovis Homes and Linden Homes – contributed to the centre as part of its section 106 agreement with Gloucestershire County Council.

The centre has captured the imagination of British stage actor Edward Bennett, a former pupil, who has also appeared in the film Warhorse, plus the TV series Poldark, Victoria and Miranda, and is throwing his weight behind it.

John Sanderson, head teacher at Chipping Campden School, which is near Bovis Homes’ Moreton-in-Marsh location, The Avenue, said he was over the moon with Vistry’s funding in the current climate.

“We are thrilled that Vistry has been able to release this wonderful amount to our brand-new performing arts centre – a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity, which now takes one step closer to completion,” he said.

“It’s so important to have a strong relationship with local housebuilders and Vistry’s funding will go directly towards the development of drama, music, dance and art pupils here at Chipping Campden.

“With sources of grant funding drying up due to the Covid-19 outbreak, we ask all those interested to visit the project's funding campaign page.”

Campaign ambassador Edward has voiced his support for the project, which is eight years in the planning, and will also support community talent.

He said: “By building a performing arts centre, with quality facilities, we will encourage and inspire so many young people to gain vital skills that will last a lifetime; confidence, creativity, communication and collaboration.

Chipping Campden School's proposed performing arts centre
“We want to build a state-of-art centre that will be enjoyed, used and valued by the school and the community for generations.”

The school is still looking for funding for high-quality resources and equipment. It is hoped the centre will encourage more pupils to take part in performing arts, release teaching space for other departments to ease congestion, and provide a new facility for the whole community.

Supriya Ray, managing director at Vistry Cotswolds, said: “Vistry is extremely happy to be playing such a large part in funding this wonderful performing arts facility, that could have such an impact on pupils and the wider community for decades to come, through the section 106 agreement.”

To support Chipping Campden School's new Performing Arts Centre, visit https://perform.campden.school/

For more information on The Avenue and other Vistry Cotswold locations, visit www.bovishomes.co.uk or www.lindenhomes.co.uk.