Arts school 'fortunate' to receive funding for essential maintenance

'VITAL STEP TO ENSURE SAFE, MODERN FACILITIES' SAYS MP

- By HARRISON GALLIVEN Local democracy reporter

"WHEN there's monsoon-style rain, you could walk round the building and see water pouring in."

This is just one example of the issues that Louise Cooper, chief operating officer of The BRIT School, is currently facing at the acclaimed Croydon arts school.

Worsening building conditions have also caused serious disruption, including leaks that forced a classroom to close and a ceiling collapse that shut down changing rooms used by musical theatre students.

Now the school is one of 640 across England awarded Government funding through the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), which supports urgent repair and maintenance work in smaller academy trusts and voluntary-aided schools. BRIT is among more than 70 schools in London receiving support this year.

Louise said: "We have funding for one project which will replace the majority of our main building roof. It was built in 1990, it was designed only to serve for 15 years, but it is now 34 years old."

They also received funding for a second project, which will focus on critical fire safety works. "We are definitely fortunate to receive this funding," Louise added.