Acland Burghley School’s distinctive hexagonal Assembly Hall in Tufnell Park, was designed by post-war architectural practice Howell, Killick, Partridge and Amis (HKPA) and completed between 1963 and 1967.
It served not only as a space for school gatherings but also as a venue for community events in the 1960s and 1970s, hosting everything from opera and boxing matches to theatre and dance performances.
It was also home to a theatre company and a youth club that served more than 800 members.
The hall has since fallen into disrepair. It is not accessible to those with additional needs and now needs to be refurbished to become the inclusive and excellent cultural venue it could be.
Eliane Glaser, a parent and trustee at Acland Burghley, said: “We are entering the final phase of our fundraising effort, having received game-changing support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
“We now need to raise the final amount from supporters and the local community to realise our vision.
“The Hall has suffered damage over the years and is not accessible to those with additional needs.
“It needs to be refurbished to become the inclusive and excellent cultural venue it could be.
“Without investment, the hall will continue to decline, risking the loss of its role as an important community asset, alongside its heritage as a unique example of Brutalist architecture.”
The refurbishment plans aim to restore the building’s fabric, reinstate its separate public entrance, upgrade lighting and sound systems, make the building fully accessible, and deliver comprehensive environmental improvements.
Other supporters include London Borough of Camden, The Wolfson Foundation, The Hollick Family Foundation, The Cecil Rosen Foundation, and The Headley Trust.
To help close a remaining £150,000 funding gap, students in Years 7, 8, and 9 will take part in a sponsored ‘Brutal Climb’ on Friday, December 5.
The route will take them through Highgate and Hampstead and past local Brutalist landmarks.
Acland Burghley headteacher Nicholas John said: “Our goal is to have paid for the hall in full by the time that the building work is finished.
“No donation is too small.
“Every penny will not only help fill the £150,000 shortfall, it will also ensure the hall’s success as a vital community space well into the future.”
Once refurbished, the hall will serve as a not-for-profit venue for professional performances and community gatherings.
It will be open to a wide range of users, including young people, new parents, older residents, and community groups.
The Assembly Hall is known for its exceptional acoustics and heritage value but, as part of the upgrade, the project will also include improvements to make it fully accessible and suitable for a diverse audience.
Acland Burghley School is among the top ten in the UK for students with education, health, and care plans.
More than a quarter of its pupils have additional needs.
The hall’s restoration is intended to bring inclusive, high-quality cultural programming to all sections of the community.
