PART 6 DRAMA CLASSROOM __________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION Drama forms an integral part of the programme of study for English at all

key stages; many other subject areas use drama strategies in the delivery of the programmes of study. The drama classroom provides a flexible space for whole class use, with accommodation for seated pupils, and a clear floor space for drama activities. The associated green room/dressing room provides accommodation for costume storage, dressing and make-up application. Those items of fire fighting equipment must be provided to satisfy the requirements of the Building Control Authority.

FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT 6.1 6.1.1 FUNCTION

ACCOMMODATION The accommodation requirements include the following: a. a drama classroom;

b. a green room/dressing room, with storage facilities for small props and some costumes; c. 6.1.2 SIZE a store to accommodate sets, props and costumes. 90 m2 30 m2 20 m2

Drama classroom Green room/dressing room Set, prop & costume store

The ceiling height in the drama classroom should be sufficient to comply with the current British Standard and Health and Safety Legislation with regard to distances from overhead lights to personnel and to the ceiling. A ceiling height of 2.7 m is adequate for the other spaces. 6.1.3 LOCATION The drama classroom and associated spaces must be located on the ground floor and be positioned close to the assembly hall and stage to permit shared use of the green room/dressing room accommodation, equipment and props. The accommodation should also be adjacent, or in close proximity, to the English department. It is desirable that toilet accommodation is located nearby.

6.1.4

LAYOUT

The room should provide a flexible space for formal teaching, and for drama activities. The front wall of the drama classroom should be blank, with direct access to the green room/dressing room from extreme left and extreme right. Direct access is also desirable from the green room/dressing room to the circulation area. The assembly hall stage should be in close proximity. The preferred location for the set, prop and costume store is adjacent to the green room/dressing room and close to the assembly hall stage. See sketches. See also 6.3 FURNITURE AND FITTINGS.

6.2 6.2.1

PERFORMANCE FLOOR FINISH A hardwearing, easily cleaned, non-woven, anti-static, carpet finish is appropriate in the drama classroom. A vinyl finish should be provided in the green room/dressing room and store. A smooth, easily cleaned finish is desirable generally. The front wall may be designated as a cyclorama, normally with a white finish. Light in tone, acoustically absorbent as required. Sufficient to provide satisfactory natural lighting. Windows should have opening lights at high and low level to provide adequate natural ventilation with fine adjustment. See 6.4.3 DAYLIGHTING. A double leaf door (with vision panels) should be provided from the circulation area to the drama classroom, this should be located at the opposite end of the room to the green room. A double leaf door should be provided from the circulation area to the set, prop and costume store. See also 6.1.4 LAYOUT for doors to the green room/dressing room.

6.2.2 6.2.3 6.2.4

WALL FINISH CEILING FINISH WINDOWS

6.2.5

DOORS

6.3

FURNITURE AND FITTINGS (provided under the building contract)

DRAMA CLASSROOM: 6.3.1 CURTAINS A centrally parted, ceiling mounted curtain, full width of the room should be provided approximately 600mm from the front wall. Alternatively, a circular, ceiling mounted track and curtain could be provided, allowing the curtain to double as a backcloth for the cyclorama; the track should be approximately 600mm from the front wall, and extend to a maximum of a third the length of the classroom.

6.3.2 6.3.3

CHALK/ WHITEBOARD PROJECTION SCREEN

This should be fixed to the wall at the opposite end of the room to the green room. An inclined, ceiling mounted, overhead projection screen should be provided to the window wall side of the chalk/whiteboard. The screen should be of the type that is self-supporting in the open position, without the need for wall fixings.

6.3.4 6.3.5 6.3.6

GREEN ROOM/ DRESSING ROOM: CUPBOARDS DRESSING TABLE High and low level cupboards and wardrobes for the storage of small props and some costumes are required. A cantilevered dressing table top, 600mm deep and 720mm high and 600mm wide, with fixed drawer units at both ends should be provided along one long wall. A continuous mirror should be provided along the length of the table top, from approximately 200mm above table top to door head height. Wall mounted overhead lighting should be provided above the mirror. 300 mm deep, full height, adjustable shelving at approximately 600mm vertical centres should be provided along one long wall in the store.

6.3.7

SET, PROP AND COSTUME STORE:

6.3.8

MOVABLE FURNITURE (not to be provided under the building contract)

Thirty Lecture style pupil chairs A teachers desk and chair A battery-operated clock should be considered for the drama classroom.

6.4 6.4.1 6.4.2 6.4.3

ENVIRONMENT TEMPERATURE VENTILATION DAYLIGHTING 18oC. Adequate natural ventilation should be provided. Good natural light is required except in stores. Dim-out blinds and heavy curtains should be provided to windows in the drama classroom. Light curtains or blinds may be provided in the green room/dressing room for privacy.

6.4.4

ACOUSTICS

The drama classroom should have good acoustics for speech and music. Sound transfer to other areas should be sufficient to permit very noisy and very quiet activities to be performed without disruption. HEATING: Ceiling panel, high level radiant panel or underfloor heating should be used, complete with an appropriate thermostatic control. This control may be either a local tamperproof thermostatic type, or an electrically operated zone valve and associated sensor operated through a BMS. Fan assisted convection heaters are not acceptable. The heating, and any ventilation system, should be silent in operation.

6.4.5

MECHANICAL

6.4.6

ELECTRICAL

LIGHTING: A lighting intensity of 350 lux is required at the working plane, generally. PERFORMANCE LIGHTING: A performance lighting system, as described below, shall be provided in the room. The installation shall comprise a single internally wired barrel complete with 15 amp SP socket outlets at 1 metre intervals and associated equipment. The barrel should be supported directly from the building structure. The dimmer pack and associated cord patch unit should be located at the front of the classroom with an adjacent lockable control switch/isolator. The system control point shall be at the rear of the room or as agreed with the school. The rating of the power supply will depend on the total load of the system, but should be not be less than 30 amp SPN. The cost of performance lighting installation should be included with the cost of any stage lighting installation and shown separately in tenders for general electrical installations. In addition to normal space lighting in the green room/dressing room, wall lighting is required at the dressing table area. Normal lighting is required in stores.

POWER: The following should be provided: a. two double socket outlets at skirting level on the front wall of the drama classroom; these should be out of the line of vision of an audience. Two double socket outlets to each other wall of the classroom (one double outlet being providing either side of the whiteboard); b. one double socket outlet at skirting level in the green room/dressing room; c. two double socket outlets above bench height at the dressing tables area. COMPUTER OUTLETS: One double computer outlet located at the whiteboard wall, see PART 12 ICT.