Building the Future of Music

Pupils from Years 8, 9, 10, and the Sixth Form have been invited into the new Music Centre building as an opportunity to see the site’s progress and ask questions to Project Manager James about the building and careers in the construction industry.

As part of the school Building Committee, led by Mrs Dolan, Barnaby, Findlay, Rex, Jack, Ben, Joseph, Isla, Bea and George were given a health and safety briefing before heading onto the site in PPE. The group first headed through the atrium, where significant progress has been made. Teams of electricians, plumbers, carpenters and builders were hard at work, preparing for the cladding that arrives next week, and installing the containment ready for the building’s lighting to be inaugurated.

There has been considerable progress in the corridor housing the bathrooms, where the rooms are now defined and plasterboard has been mounted. Pupils had the opportunity here to learn from James about the materials and methods used in the installation. Questions were invited, George asked about the electrics, and when the circuit would be moved onto the mains power, from the temporary source. He was praised for a practical question, of which the answer was that the target was Christmas.

James led pupils to the second floor, an area which has seen the most progress. The walls were being sanded and prepared for the decorators to commence work later this week. In addition to this, the electricians were working to a tight schedule to have the ceiling gridding finished in order for the painters to be able to access the space and complete their work. Pupils asked how the painting would be completed, and learnt that the base coat would be sprayed, before rolling the topcoat. James also talked them through how the paint used would be primarily water based, with a low VOC (volatile organic compound), making it a low risk procedure for health and safety considerations.

Children enquired for more information on health and safety procedures within the build, and to learn more about James and his career progression and starting point within the industry. They also learnt about the most challenging areas of the build, and the addition of the roof terrace, which has been a late addition to the plans.

A steel frame is due to be installed to hold the terrace, and one classroom is being remodelled into a corridor to allow for access to this fantastic addition, which will give stunning views across the skyline and provide the ideal spot to network and have photographs taken.

Year 12 student Joseph expressed his interest in a career in Civil Engineering. This is the first time in a while that he has been on site, due to his commitments with the brass club, but he found the experience invaluable.

Pupils were briefed on the utility and drainage provisions, ceiling heights and specifications to allow the building to reach its potential as a music venue. James advised that many things had to be taken into consideration, such as the acoustics and reverberation.

Pupils headed to one of the most exciting areas of the build – the rock room. After rocking out, they learnt that the room had been jacked up on rubber feet, with 3 layers of plasterboard on the walls and ceilings. Shortly, acoustic panelling will engulf the space and a bespoke door, which is due to arrive in December, will be installed. The door has been specially designed to insulate the sound, and James assured pupils that the school is investing in an extremely well-planned building, with top-of-the-range additions, to ensure it is fit for purpose for generations of musicians to come.

Outside, pupils marvelled at the tiled finish of the building. Now that the scaffolding and crane have been removed, you can see the building in all of its glory. Getting close, we were able to awe the windows and brickwork and view the external staircase, which has just been established. Weighing in 3.5 tonnes each, the 4 staircases were quite a feat to get up the Trennick Lane, along with the 100-tonne crane required to lift them into place. Alongside the staircases, the crane was also used to install the air-source heat pump units, which will be connected imminently to the pump room – the heart of the building.

Pupils participating in the Building Committee were invited to apply by sending James an email with their CV and covering letter. This gave them first-hand career-building experience, and James read through each application, as if pupils were applying for a job. We asked the group why they were keen to participate, and we were told collectively –  “It is great to see areas of the building you wouldn’t normally see, to find out how long the construction has taken and how the utilities are incorporated into the build. It has been cool to see the project come to life and look around the building site!”

Thank you to James at Classic Builders for continually involving Truro School pupils in the building process and taking the time today to tour and give them career advice. We would also like to congratulate the group on asking some inspiring and relevant questions and for their courtesy and sensible behaviour on-site in a working space.

Any senior pupils who wish to join the building Committee for the next tour, please speak to Mrs Dolan, all year groups are welcome.

Our new music centre is due to be completed by Summer 2026, and we look forward to bringing you more updates on the progress of this amazing addition to Truro School facilities.