The College has opened the doors of its recently completed, state-of-the-art dance studio after months of construction work.

Following the successful application for a £700k government Condition Improvement Fund grant, eight months of intensive building works by Exeter-based Fifields Construction saw the completion of the new studio, a further mathematics classroom and an extension to music classroom provision on the Dyrons side of the College campus.

The studio boasts a sprung, natural wood floor, high ceilings, air conditioning, mirrored walls and an inbuilt audio and visual system, replacing the temporary buildings that were in situ for more than four decades. The new provision, used by students in Years 7-13, has also been made available for use by the local community.

College Business Manager, Nick Hill, said: “We were delighted to secure the grant money to enable much needed improvement of our dance performance space for our students, as well as a further classroom and added teaching space. It was our aim as a College to not only provide something that can be used and enjoyed by our students, but also something that we can offer for use to the local community outside of our operational times.”

Teacher of Performing Arts and Dance, Sarah Wilkinson, said: “We are thrilled to finally be able to provide our students with the dance and performance space they deserve. The incredible standard of performance work produced by our students more than justifies this investment and this new facility will only help improve their potential further. In a climate of less provision for arts subjects in general, it is fantastic that Newton Abbot College continues to invest in its creative arts for the benefit of every one of our College community.”