Ballroom is music to sixth-formers' ears

The room at Bootham School, in York, dates back to about 1800 and was in use for around a century in a private home before it became lost between partition walls and false ceilings that were installed to turn the building into flats.

The school originally bought the house as staff accommodation in the 1940s but as teachers moved into their own homes the property became empty.

Now it has been restored to its former glory and officially opened as the Bootham Recital Room.

The school's bursor, Andy Woodland: "Other than the people who lived in the flats, no-one really went in the building; consequently we didn't have a full picture of what was there.

"It was only when the building was vacated that the scale of its potential was realised, and even then we could not be sure how much damage had been caused to the original plaster work and decorated ceiling. It has been a great joy to bring this room back to life."

Headmaster Jonathan Taylor said: "This is something we are keen to share with the community. We are planning a series of recitals, lectures and other similar events to which local people will be most welcome."

The refurbishment of the property has also allowed the school to

provide new sixth-form boarding accommodation.

Mr Taylor added: "The only fear is that when our students leave for university, they might be disappointed by the functionality of most student accommodation – there really is nothing quite like living in these Georgian buildings."