Hotham Primary Appeals to Alumni to Help Restore Annexe
School seeking to raise £150,000 to create arts and music hub
The space will house an art and design innovation studio on the ground floor and a dance and music studio upstairs. Picture: Hotham School
February 20, 2026
A primary school in Putney is calling on former pupils, parents and the wider community to help breathe new life into a 115-year-old building as part of an ambitious plan to create a new arts and music centre.
Hotham Primary School has launched “The Annexe Appeal”, a fundraising campaign to refurbish and rehabilitate its long-unused annexe block. The school is aiming to raise £150,000 to transform the historic space into a vibrant centre dedicated to art, music and dance.
Built in 1908 at the same time as the main school building, the annexe has played a varied role in local life over the past century. It was originally used for housewifery education, later supported adult learning, and in more recent years has served as storage space. Now, school leaders believe the time has come to secure its future for the next generation.
Under the plans, the building will be fully weatherproofed and secured, with upgraded electrics and heating, remodelled internal rooms, new toilet facilities and specialist furniture and equipment installed. During the school day, the space will house an art and design innovation studio on the ground floor and a dance and music studio upstairs, providing every child with weekly specialist arts teaching. Beyond school hours, it is intended to open as a community hub for local clubs, families and groups.
The total cost of the project is £150,000. £50,000 has already been secured through the Hotham School Fund, a registered charity (no. 1213653), and a further £50,000 is being sought through grant applications. The remaining £50,000 is the focus of the public fundraising campaign, which officially launched in February 2026.
Organisers say there are several ways to support the appeal, including regular or one-off donations, participation in fundraising events run in collaboration with the school’s PTFA, and contributions to a “Giving Wall” that will recognise significant donors. The school is also appealing to businesses able to offer match funding and to charities aligned with its vision.
As well as raising funds, the school is keen to reconnect with its history. Former pupils, parents and local residents who remember being taught in the annexe building are invited to get in touch and share their stories, helping to capture how the space has served the community over the decades.
The building’s position within the school grounds – set slightly apart from the main block – is seen as ideal for creative activity, offering both connection and independence. School leaders say the project will not only preserve a historic structure but also support wellbeing, nurture creativity and expand opportunities for every child.
Building works are expected to begin in August 2026, with all funding secured by April 2027 and the project due for completion in August 2027.
Further information about the appeal, including how to donate or share memories of the annexe, is available via the school’s website.
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