Bassaleg School is a comprehensive secondary school to the west of the city of Newport, just off junction 28 of the M4 motorway. It caters for students aged 11 to 18.
Newport City Council awarded Willmott Dixon the contract to upgrade the school, in turn creating over 300 extra school places to help meet demand in the area.
The project was procured by the council’s property partner, Newport Norse as part of the SEWSCAP3 framework.
Vaughan Sound was appointed to the project by local Mechanical and Electrical Subcontractor, Whitehead Building Services.
We were tasked with delivering an integrated performance sound, stage lighting, and audio-visual scheme for Bassaleg School’s new three-storey teaching block.
The sustainable new build incorporates modern assembly and dining areas, including a fully equipped central Main Hall and separate Drama Hall at the heart of the development.
The Main Hall has received a full performance sound and stage lighting scheme, whereby the multipurpose space can be used for assembly, lectures, school productions, or larger drama classes.
Careful consideration was given to the requirement for stage lighting as part of the school curriculum, with industry standard equipment specified with this in mind.
This allows pupils to learn how stage lighting system components operate, while giving them hands on experience.
Three front of house internally wired lighting bars have been installed, featuring a variety of luminaires such as LED profile zoom spots and parcans typical of educational and theatrical applications.
A DMX lighting console provides the ability to address and control all luminaires and can be connected at each facility panel within the space, as well as within the Drama Hall when patched.
High quality performance sound comes via full range cabinet loudspeakers, with in fill speakers flown at the front of the hall.
A 20-channel mixing desk was supplied, while additional digital sound processing has been provided for loudspeaker management, compression, and equalisation.
A wireless, racked and ready microphone system and additional wired, handheld microphones are also available.
To one side of the hall Vaughan Sound fitted a four-metre retractable electric screen, with a 6000-lumen WXGA projector ceiling mounted at high level.
A technical communications system completes the setup in the Main Hall, enabling discrete communication via beltpack transmitters and microphones.
In the Drama Hall, three six-metre internally wired lighting bars are installed over the stage. To these are fitted a range of zoom spots, moving head gobo projectors, and parcans.
Another high-quality sound system is installed here, comprising four 12” cabinet loudspeakers, which were pendant mounted from the secondary support infrastructure.
Stage curtains are provided to the stage front and mid stage, installed to walkalong T60 heavy duty curtain track.
Side swivel tabs have been used to form onstage dividers, while a white cyclorama at the stage rear can be used for scenery lighting and projections.
Three facility panels link the floor area of the space to the control position. As with the Main Hall, connectivity is provided in the form of microphone tielines, audio tielines, CAT6E, video, DMX, and ring intercom.
The Dining Hall features a further multimedia projection system, with a four-metre retractable electric screen installed to the elevation. This is managed at floor level via a custom programmed controller.
Induction loop systems are installed to comply with Part M of the Building Regulations and the Equality Act 2010 (Amendment) Regulations 2023.
For the Main Hall and Drama Hall, complex loop patterns were fitted below the final floor coverings, with the audio feed derived from the installed performance sound system.
Six additional rooms have permanently installed systems with ceiling microphones.
A counter loop system with gooseneck microphone is installed at the teaching block’s Reception Desk, with two portable kits supplied for communal use.
All induction loop systems were commissioned and certified to IEC 60118-4.
Vaughan Sound played a pivotal role in shaping the future use of the dining and performance spaces within the new teaching block at Bassaleg School.
We successfully supplied and installed industry standard performance sound, stage lighting, and audio-visual systems fit for 21st century learning.
“Funding from the council and the [Welsh Government’s] Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme has given us an opportunity to improve the environment for pupils, which in turn will enhance the learning experience.
“It also helps us to respond to the increased demand for places, as our city continues to grow.”
– Cllr Deb Davies, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years (Newport City Council)
Are you considering or working on a similar project to Bassaleg School?
Perhaps you’re looking for performance sound, stage lighting, or audio-visual systems for your building?
Our experienced team of education experts are on hand to discuss solutions.
We provide needs analysis, a site survey at a date and time to suit you, plus free, no obligation quotations.
Simply get in touch to let us know your requirements.
Images: M&P Contractors Ltd
