Duran Duran’s John Taylor Opens Music Suite at his Old School in Redditch

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DURAN Duran bass player John Taylor struck a chord with pupils when he returned to the site of his old school to open its new £200,000 music suite.

Taylor, fresh from a world tour with the Birmingham band and the launch of his autobiography, was at Trinity High School in Redditch to unveil its state-of-the-art centre.

The suite, equipped with a teaching space, a bank of the latest Apple iMac computers, a recording studio and practice rooms, is one of many projects set to improve the environment at Trinity.

Taylor, 52, was a pupil at The Abbey High School, on the same site, which closed in 2001.

“Coming back to Redditch and my old school bought back some very fond memories for me,” he said.

“It feels like only yesterday that I was here as a child and teenager.

“After the death of my father I realised I had lost my connection to Redditch and the city of Birmingham and that was the inspiration for writing my book.

“Coming back to Redditch and my old school has been a wonderful experience.”

Head teacher Marian Barton said she hoped the new centre would encourage even more pupils to take up music at GCSE level.

“The school is delighted that John found time in his hectic schedule to open our new music suite,” she said.

“Music is a popular subject at Trinity with the number of students choosing to study it at Key stage 4 and Post 16 increasing every year.”

The centre has been funded through a £661,800 grant from the Education Funding Agency, which will also go towards replacing windows, facades and roof coverings.

Photo gallery: John Taylor opens music suite at Redditch school

Courtesy Birmingham Mail