Visitors to Northampton school for girls will soon be greeted by the sound of music.
The school, the first awarded specialist status as a music college, is hoping to install a system which will flood the reception area with sound.
More than one in five of its 1,000 pupils plays a musical instrument and its choir, “Madrigalis”, reached last year’s national finals of the Music Festival for Youth. The extra half-million pounds guaranteed by specialist status will contribute to a PFI development providing the pupils with a music centre with the latest equipment, instruments and sound-proofed rooms.
The head, Penny Westwood said: “We believe that the disciplines involved in learning an instrument, or being part of a musical team will boost the academic performance and confidence of our pupils.”
The facilities will also be made available to the local community and schools.