MORE THAN 40 young people came together to help complete Droitwich Spa High School’s brand new open-air amphitheatre.
The school’s newest addition, which seats 150 people, will be used for drama lessons and to bring outdoor theatre shows to the town.
The 43 students spent four days finishing the project, gaining a City and Guilds Entry Level 3 Carpentry qualification in the process.
Jon Brook, deputy headteacher at Droitwich Spa High School, said: “The project was a great success and we have been left with a wonderful new ampitheatre, set to showcase our fantastic students’ performing arts talent.
“We’re grateful to be benefiting from the project, which at the same time has also helped our students improve their employability with new skills.”
The Standard reported exclusively last summer that Henley-in-Arden School no longer had any use for the ampitheatre and was giving it away for free.
Droitwich Spa High dismantled and transported the structure, which weighed several tonnes, and, following a few setbacks, went on to rebuild it.
The school had entered a competition on Absolute Radio for the lucky winner to have their building completed and Kasabian perform live to officially open it.
Reaching the final four, year nine and 11 musicians from Droitwich Spa High performed a song about about the project, set to Kasabian’s hit tune ‘Fire’.
Despite missing out on the top prize, the school impressed the judges so much, the popular radio station announced Wickes would pay for all the decking.
The work was carried out in association with ‘Volunteer It Yourself’, which helps young people aged 14 to 24 to learn trade and building skills by fixing local community buildings.
Jamie Townsend, store manager at Wickes in Worcester, said: “We’re delighted that we were able to help Droitwich Spa High School by ensuring they had all the materials and tools they needed for this valuable project.
“It’s great to be involved with such a worthwhile project which gets young people excited while teaching them useful skills.
“The team worked hard and did a fantastic job completing the ampitheatre and are a testament to how anyone can do some DIY to help make a difference.”
