The Renaissance Project

We used The Renaissance Project as a campaign to upgrade George Abbot School’s arts facilities. We used the campaign to create a set of inspiring, sustainable and accessible spaces to house our outstanding arts activity including ceramics, fashion, fine art, photography and textiles. The project allowed us to upgrade equipment, resources and buildings to ensure we continue to reflect the high standards and talent in our staff and student team. To read more about the fundraising efforts, Mrs Clifford’s Marathon and Wild Card Auction please click the links. Please see below the before and after pictures of the refurbishment.

Pre Refurbishment

Conceptual Design

Post Refurbishment

Reopening Celebrations

In March 2020 we celebrated the opening of the Moloney building, named after our fabulous former Headteacher, Danny Moloney, and the reopening of the Priscott-Jones building in memory of our wonderful colleague, Jo Priscott-Jones, former Head of Photography.

The opening was a great success. Guests enjoyed viewing the student’s artwork in the new PJ building and commented on the excellent new facilities available.

Thank you to the PTA and all of the parents/carers who contributed to the fundraising effort for the Renaissance Project; we could not have done it without you.

To begin the event, we had speeches from Danny Moloney, Former Headteacher who said:

“It was a privilege to work here for all those years, alongside supportive staff, teaching top notch students. I’ve made some fantastic friends.

I feel really privileged that Kate, her team, and the governors, have decided to name these buildings in this way. Jo was a key member of our team. There was never a worthier recipient of having a building named after her than Jo.”

Former Assistant Head and friend of Jo, Jude Thomas said:

“Jo spent 26 years at George Abbot School. She was an excellent teacher, committed, dedicated, enthusiastic, creative, the list is endless. She had a love of her subject, for the students and she had a love of life. Jo had a way of helping struggling students because she had infinite patience and wisdom, she was determined and never gave up.

She would have been proud that her hard work and contribution to the success of George Abbot School has been recognised and proud of how the department has continued after her. It is wonderful to be able to be given the opportunity, when asked about who she was, to tell this inspiring story about a remarkable woman, to new parents, staff and friends.”