A PROJECT to build a new arts centre is moving forward after building work started last week.

Gosfield School has announced work on its new performing arts centre is under way.

The independent school, which has around 250 pupils, has said the new £1.67million building will be the home for the school’s performing arts academy.

The academy will offer students and scholars opportunities in drama, dance and music.

To mark the occasion, the school held a ‘ground breaking’ ceremony at their Gosfield-based site last week.

Students from the school watched on as the school’s contractor, APH, broke the ground and commenced clearing the site for building to start.

Head of performing arts Nick Bell was in attendance to see the project get under way.

He said; “This is immensely exciting for our students.

“The new Performing Arts Centre will provide first class practice and performance facilities, not only for our performing arts academy scholars but also for every pupil of the school.”

According to the school, the first phase of the project, which is to construct the building, will be completed by the end of the year.

It is then hoped the ‘fit out’ phase can begin in early 2022.

The centre is expected to include a performance auditorium with dance studio, two classrooms and three music practice rooms.

The school’s performing arts programme caters for beginners through to elite performers.

Mr Bell added: “We welcome scholarship applicants for our performing arts disciplines and will be holding scholarship days early in the new school year.

“However, scholars interested in joining us in September are welcome to apply sooner.

“They’ll not only benefit from expert tuition in the discipline but also the schools excellent academic education.”