Arts Ed plans first major redevelopment in 30 years

Arts Educational Schools is planning the first major redevelopment of its west London home in 30 years.

The refurbishment will involve the creation of new teaching spaces and rehearsal areas, as well as a studio space.

If planning permission is granted, improvements will be made to the facilities of the day school and sixth form, as well as the schools of acting and musical theatre.

Cone Ripman House, where the school is based, was built for Chiswick Polytechnic in the 1950s and adapted for Arts Educational Schools in 1986. The main theatre and the school’s TV and film facilities were refurbished in 2012. However, this is the first major redevelopment of the whole site.

The proposals from architect De Matos Ryan “optimise the use of the existing buildings and unlock the potential of currently empty courtyard space”, according to a statement from the drama school.

Arts Educational Schools will be submitting an application for planning permission to the London Borough of Hounslow council in the first half of 2018.

As the plans are still at an early stage, a spokeswoman was unable to confirm an estimated cost for the project, but said it would be a “significant investment”.

The cost will be met through a combination of designated funds and fundraising from philanthropic sources.

Principal Chris Hocking said: “Our goal is straightforward: to provide our students with facilities that match the exceptional quality of our teaching, ensuring that future generations continue to leave Arts Ed as outstandingly confident and creative young performers.”