Buckinghamshire council to give NFTS 250k for major expansion
Buckinghamshire Council has agreed to provide £250,000 to the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield for a “once-in-a-generation expansion.”
Buckinghamshire Council has agreed to provide £250,000 to the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield for a “once-in-a-generation expansion.”
The £250,000 pledge will unlock £10 million in government funding for the school’s £21 million expansion project.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading film and TV training institutions, the National Film and Television School (NFTS) has the opportunity to acquire and redevelop an adjacent office site to expand its facilities.
The project aims to strengthen the school’s base in the county, launch new courses in areas such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality, and increase student capacity by up to 25 per cent.
NFTS Principal Jon Wardle presented the plans to the council’s leadership in February.
The council’s contribution would represent just 2.5 per cent of the overall project cost and will only be drawn upon if the NFTS is unable to secure the final £250,000 required from commercial partners or philanthropic donations.
The school said it remains confident it can raise the money by the end of 2025, meaning council funding may not be needed.
It said in a council report: “The school has made good initial progress in securing the match funding and are seeking a grant contribution of £250k from the council to support the expansion plans.
“The school have been an important partner in helping to secure significant UKRI Investment into the county as part of the Co-Star programme that is developing a national centre for the use of AI and Augmented Reality for the screen industry at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.
“The development and expansion of the teaching facilities at the NFTS is expected to deliver increased provision of education, resulting in reduced skills shortages in the Film and TV industry, and gains in productivity for the economy as a whole.”
The council report also highlighted a series of wider benefits the county could gain from the development.
It said the expansion could enhance the quality of education, with improved facilities and new courses helping to boost employment prospects and productivity.
An increased student population is also expected to bring a rise in local spending, supporting the wider Buckinghamshire economy.
With the NFTS offering cutting-edge courses and strong links to the film and television industry, the report suggested there could be “innovation spillovers” between the school and local businesses.
With an increased intake and by keeping course costs affordable, the report said the school has an opportunity to attract a wider range of students and increase diversity.