Coppice Performing Arts School hosted its official opening yesterday where a number of guests got the chance to see how £18 million worth of Wolverhampton Building Schools for the Future (BSF) investment has benefited young people there.
Peter Cutchie, chief executive of Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, unveiled the theatre while former BBC Midlands Today presenter Kay Alexander MBE opened the main school building.
The event also featured live vocal and dance performances, presentations and a tour of the new facilities for guests.
The theatre, named "Somnium" by the pupils, is the centrepiece of the new facilities and has a 'box office' feel to it to help the pupils showcase and celebrate their performing arts and school shows.
It also has a café in the reception area and will be a facility that will be available for the community to use.
Other stunning new features now at Coppice include a brand new sports hall, dance studios and music suite, impressive new entrance, enhanced outdoor learning zones, new ICT facilities and a new 'Discovery' science zone with open plan learning areas.
Coppice was one of the first 7 schools to benefit from the city's BSF programme, which is completely transforming education and raising the aspirations and achievements of children and young people in the city.
Janice Fletcher, Headteacher at Coppice Performing Arts School, said: "I am delighted that the students, families and community of Coppice Performing Arts School now have the 21st century facilities that they deserve. We are so proud of our young people who continually seek to achieve their personal best and who progress successfully to higher education, training and employment from the excellent foundations that they have at Coppice.
"We now have the state of the art learning facilities that can only enhance the learning and personal development experiences that we provide. Our students, staff and families have been exceptional during the building project and I would like to acknowledge their commitment and understanding throughout; always placing the importance, and best interests, of our young people at the heart of what we do.
Councillor Phil Page, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Learning, said: "The transformation at Coppice is a superb example of the impact our BSF programme is having on schools and their communities.
"As well as providing enhanced facilities, the investment is making a real difference to the learning and whole education experience for children and young people in the school.
"I am delighted to see Peter, Kay and so many other dignitaries attend and share this success."
The BSF programme will see a total of 25 schools being either completely rebuilt or refurbished. All works are expected to be complete by September 2015.
- released: Tuesday 25 June, 2013