PLANS for the next stage of the transformation of King Alfred’s Academy in Wantage have been unveiled.

The £700,000 scheme would renovate the secondary school’s assembly hall and art and design teaching block and create a new reception area at the front of the school’s central site in the town centre.

It is part of a £7m scheme to upgrade and improve the school.

A planning application for the project was submitted to Vale of White Horse District Council planning officers last week.

The new extension will mean visitors to the school can report to reception at the front of the school instead of walking into the centre of the building.

Headteacher Simon Spiers said: “It will make it a lot safer and more secure for students.

“Our office at the moment is in the middle of the school, but it is never a good idea to have visitors and parents wandering through the school.”

The current 1970s art and design area is a breeze block building with a flat leaky roof.

The new plans aim to create an open plan university style teaching space with a new roof and windows.

The revamped hall would also have a new roof, windows and new toilets with disabled access.

Mr Spiers said: “It is hugely exciting. Our facilities will finally be catching up with the level of teaching at the school.

“Art and design is an outstanding department so we will be able to give the students and teachers the facilities they deserve.

“It is very good news for students now and for those who come through the school in the future.

“And various community groups use the hall too so it will also benefit them.”

The hall is used every day for school assemblies, for school plays, shows, parents’ evenings and exams.

Community groups which use the hall include the AmEgos Theatre Group and Wantage Junior Showstoppers.

John Gale, King Alfred’s director of public events, said: “An improved public entrance area with facilities will be the icing on the cake for a venue that is already one of the most flexible spaces for theatrical productions in Wantage.”

The school announced yesterday it had secured £500,000 to go ahead with the project from the Education Funding Agency and will pay for the rest itself. The district council’s planning committee is due to decide if the plans can go ahead on August 4.

If planning is granted building work is set to start in August and finish in December for a grand opening in January.