Surrey Specialist College receives green light for transformative expansion

Surrey Specialist College Receives green light for transformative expansion 
Building a space where young disabled adults take centre stage.

The Orpheus Centre welcomed today the news that planning permission has been granted for a new Arts Centre as part a college expansion in Godstone, Surrey.

This marks a major milestone in the charity’s aim to create a world-class, inclusive Arts Centre with fully accessible spaces for learning, performance and creativity – growing capacity by nearly 50% to meet rising demand and increasingly complex student needs. The Arts Centre will include a 250 seat theatre, a café and a state of the art sensory room: alongside modern, purpose-built teaching spaces. Construction is expected to begin in 2028/29, subject to the successful completion of a fundraising phase.

Andrew Willetts, CEO of Orpheus, said:

“There’s a magic at Orpheus you won’t find anywhere else – it comes from what happens when young disabled adults are truly seen, believed in and given the space to shine. This new Arts Centre will support our ambition to become a National Centre of Excellence  and will allow that magic to happen for many more students. This magic happens when young disabled adults, who’ve spent their lives being told what they can’t do – finally discover what they can. It happens when chance meets opportunity, when talent meets belief, when potential that society overlooks is given the space to flourish.”

Orpheus empowers young disabled adults to live, learn and work as independently as possible through the transformative power of the arts, fostering confidence, dignity and purpose. Its students achieve real outcomes: In 2024, 29% moved into employment (versus 4.8% of learning-disabled adults nationally) and 62% continued into further education – proof that their innovative approach, pioneered by founder Sir Richard Stilgoe, works.

Sir Richard commented:

“The words ‘Planning permission’ are music to our ears.  Someone thoughtful has looked at our dream and said, ‘Yes, go ahead.’ This Arts Centre will be more than bricks and mortar; it will be a springboard for imagination, independence and a lifetime of opportunity for our students.”

Howard Webber, Chair of Orpheus, added:

“This planning approval is a vote of confidence in our vision of an inclusive world where disabled young people, with a passion for the arts and a desire to live and work independently, can achieve their aspirations. At the Orpheus Centre, we're actively shaping the future to meet the rising demand for specialist education. We’re delighted to take this next step with our supporters and donors beside us.”

The Orpheus Centre are pleased to announce that as part of the first phase of the fundraising, they have now appointed Nurole to support the recruitment of their capital appeal board chair.

For more information, please contact 
Simon Parratt
Communications & Engagement Manager
Email: simonparratt@orpheus.org.uk
Phone: 07399632490