RHS Announces Exciting Transformation of the Assembly Hall
The Royal Hospital School is thrilled to announce that the much-anticipated transformation of the RHS Assembly Hall has begun, marking the next phase of the school鈥檚 ongoing Capital Investment Programme.
The RHS 2033: Capital Investment Programme is a visionary initiative by the school to drive development and growth over the next decade, coinciding with the centenary of RHS at Holbrook.
The Assembly Hall has long been at the heart of the school’s community, serving as the venue for a wide range of activities, from assemblies and lectures to performances, workshops, events, and exams. This extensive renovation aims to revitalise the space, modernising it to meet the evolving needs of the school and its pupils.
Key elements of the transformation include:
- A Complete Redecoration: Bringing a fresh, modern aesthetic to the space.
- A New Retractable Seating System: Accommodating up to 800 people, offering flexibility for events of all sizes.
- Redesigned Stage with Proscenium Arch: Featuring new stage flooring, the upgraded stage will provide a formal, theatrical environment ideal for performances and productions.
- Enhanced Audio-Visual Capabilities: Upgraded AV equipment will support a range of activities, from lectures to professional-level performances.
- Improved Storage Facilities: Ensuring better organisation and accessibility for school events and productions.
- Under-Stage Dressing Room Facilities: New dressing rooms will support the performing arts and enhance the overall experience for performers.
These upgrades will elevate the Assembly Hall, significantly improving the pupil experience by making the space more comfortable, functional, and accessible. The new features will also ensure the hall is better suited to the needs of exams, with enhanced lighting, acoustics, and an environment that supports focus and performance.
In addition to these improvements, the Assembly Hall will become an integral part of the school’s drama curriculum. Pupils will be able to utilise the space to explore stagecraft, performance techniques, and digital set design, benefiting from the professional-grade AV and staging facilities. The upgrades will foster a dynamic learning environment, enabling pupils to refine their skills in a setting that mirrors industry standards.
Irfan Latif, Headmaster at RHS commented on the renovation, saying:
“We are excited to take this next step in the development of our school. The Assembly Hall is a central part of our school life, and this transformation will not only enhance the learning experience for our pupils but also allow us to offer even more opportunities for creativity, performance, and academic achievement. Strategic investments in facilities such as our new Sixth Form Centre and transformed Assembly Hall and Boarding Houses, will create an environment where our pupils can continue to grow, explore, and develop essential skills that will shape their futures with confidence.”
Work on the Assembly Hall began at the end of March, with completion expected by October 2025. The school community looks forward to the enhanced space, which will offer an inspiring environment for both education and extracurricular activities.
April 2025