Cheltenham Bournside School has revealed early plans for a new green garden space to mark the 50th anniversary of the school site on Warden Hill Road.

The plans will transform the concrete space that many students and parents, past and present, will remember as the Quad.

Existing paving across 644m2 of the Quad will be lifted, to be replaced with established trees, shrubs and raised planting areas to soften the outdoor space.

Artificial lawn will be laid to ensure the space can be enjoyed by students all year round, with plenty of shade and group seating areas for students to both work and socialise outside.

Central to the plans is a new bandstand. Acting as a focal point and performance space, the new centrepiece will be used for music and drama performances.

Work is planned to start in spring next year, ready for September 2022.

Steve Jefferies, Bournside headteacher, said: "Students joining us in September 2022 will be joining us in our 50th anniversary year on this site, a landmark of which we are very proud.

"We thought carefully about how we could mark the anniversary, and decided upon an ambitious transformation of the Quad, which hasn't changed since the school was built on this site in 1972.

"We hope to create a quality, creative outdoor space for the benefit of everyone in our school community, where students can both work and relax. The garden would also provide an attractive outlook from the many classroom windows overlooking the Quad."

The school is launching a fundraising campaign to help fund the project. If you are interested in sponsoring a bench, tree or the flagship bandstand, email mlc@bournside.gloucs.sch.uk.