YOUNGSTERS have launched an ambitious bid to raise £12,000 to upgrade their school’s theatre to open it up to the wider community.

Chetwynde's head of drama Katherine Parkinson is spearheading the revamp of the school’s 300-seat theatre so it can be hired by other community groups and amateur dramatics clubs and dance troupes.

The plans include expanding the stage and installing a new lighting and sound system.

With volunteers on hand to build the bigger stage the school is in need of donations such as timber and will be organising fundraising events.

It is hoped the stage expansion will be completed within the next few months.

“We have a really big theatre which represents a really good space which we feel we can utilise more,” Mrs Parkinson, who also runs her own independent drama school KS Musicals, said.

“If we’re able to complete this work then we’ll be able to hire the space out to groups in the community.”

Alternative theatres, such as at the Forum, are often unsuitable to some groups because of their size and Mrs Parkinson believes a capacity of 300 will be ideal for some of the small audiences.

“The Forum is a little bit too big and it can be quite expensive to hire for productions,” she added.

“By upgrading our theatre and making it available for the wider community it gives groups an alternative option.”

In response to the growing demand from pupils Chetwynde School has reinstated drama as a GCSE subject.

Mrs Parkinson said: “Kids from three to 17 all love getting involved in performing arts.

“This year the school going to put on We Will Rock You and the response and enthusiasm from all of our kids has been phenomenal.

“We’re really looking forward to putting on the show and it would be great to be able to do that in revamped surroundings.”