Community

The Jenny Kerry Performing Arts Centre is a modern, fully-equipped 244-seat tiered theatre perfect for performances, corporate conferences, and high-profile lectures.

We offer four clear, tailored hire packages to suit your event’s technical demands. Dry/Basic packages are available evenings and weekends year-round. Enhanced/Full Production packages are exclusively available during school holiday blocks (including extensive summer, autumn, and spring dates).

This beautifully renovated Victorian building offers a tranquil, private setting on the edge of the school grounds with its own vehicle entrance for both events and residential hire. The space encompasses a large private drive, patio, lawn garden and hosts up to 21 guests in single, twin, and family rooms.

Available during select weeks of the winter and summer holidays, our modern, purpose-built boarding house accommodates up to 102 guests in single, twin, and triple rooms (mostly en-suite).

The space includes light, airy study areas overlooking the sea, a large communal kitchen, vibrant social spaces, and a massive common room with direct outdoor access. Centenary House is perfect for summer schools, sports camps and group retreats.

Host up to 140 guests for a sit-down meal or corporate event in our stylish dining hall.

Our professional in-house hospitality team prides itself on quality, sourcing fresh, local produce to design menus tailored to your exact specifications.

For larger events marquees are available by arrangement to take full advantage of our beautiful lawns overlooking the Solent.

• Sports Hall: A spacious indoor sports hall with changing facilities and seating for up to 500 guests.
• Tennis / Netball Courts: Secure, well-maintained outdoor spaces including two side-by-side tennis courts and a dedicated netball court offering high-quality playing surfaces.
• Fields: Various well maintained fields available both at Ryde School and Smallbrooke, Ryde.
• Astro Turf: Full-size floodlit Astro pitch available off-site at Smallbrook, Ryde.
• Brading Cricket Ground: A picturesque cricket ground offering an idyllic setting for matches and social gatherings.

Booking & Payment

How do I make a booking?
Complete our online hire form, and a member of our team will get back to you.

How much notice do you need for a booking?

 We recommend submitting your enquiry at least 14 days in advance, to allow us to respond and you to complete the necessary paperwork. Larger bookings such as productions and dinners should be submitted at least one month in advance.

How do I pay for my booking?

 For regular sessions, invoices are issued monthly for the previous month’s use with 30-day payment terms. Late payments may incur interest charges. For complex bookings or events requiring staff support outside of hours, a deposit may be required.

What is your cancellation policy?
The cancellation policy is set out within the hire agreement. Please contact us as soon as possible if changes are required.

Is there a minimum hire charge?
Yes. One-off bookings have a minimum charge of £75 plus applicable VAT.

What if I am booking sessions at ad-hoc times?
Sessions must be at least bi-weekly for the same facility to avoid the minimum hire charge.

What are your prices?
Please complete the hire form for full pricing details.

What if school use conflicts with my booking?
We will do our best to avoid conflicts and provide alternatives or notice if unavoidable.

Can I visit the school for a tour?
Yes, we encourage visits, particularly for larger events. Contact us to arrange a tour.

Availability & Access

When are your facilities available?
Typically, facilities are available for hire weekdays: 5.30-10.00pm, weekends and school holidays

Can I have time to set up?
Gate codes give access 10 minutes before your booked start time for the staff to come in and prepare. If you require any additional set-up time this needs to be agreed as part of your hire.

Where do I go when I arrive?
If you are visiting the school during school hours please report to Reception upon arrival. Outside of school hours please follow the information you have been provided with upon booking.

Why do I need a gate code to access the site?
To ensure the safety of our hirers and our boarders, secure access is required.

Is anyone else on site during hires?
Yes. Other community groups, cleaning and maintenance staff, and boarding students may be present. Please remain in your designated areas and follow the code of conduct.

Facilities & Equipment

Do you include equipment?

 Field bookings include goal hire free of charge. Nets for badminton and other sporting equipment may be provided depending on availability. For additional requirements, please contact us in advance.

Do you provide tables and chairs?

 Classrooms and the Dining Hall are all equipped with tables and chairs. For other facilities small requests can be arranged with 48 hours’ notice. Orders for larger quantities, or for our round tables may incur additional charges.

Are changing rooms available?
Changing rooms can be provided for performances as green rooms, or sporting fixtures at an extra charge.

Are toilets available?
There is access to at least one toilet facility for any hire. If you are booking an outside space and need access to toilet facilities during your hire, please indicate this upon enquiry.

Is Wi-Fi included?
Yes, please request this on your original hire form.

How do I access the Wi-Fi?
Log into the Guest Wifi. This should then prompt you to use your login details provided. If for any reason your device doesn’t prompt you, please type in Ryde.School into your web browser and type in your credentials.

Is there disabled access?
Most facilities have disabled access. Please specify any requirements so we can plan ahead.

Is there storage for hires?

 Storage space is extremely limited and therefore we’re unable to offer any long-term storage.

Site Rules & Safety

Where is the fire assembly point?
The fire assembly point is located on the top field.

Can I bring pets on site?
We are pet-friendly, but we’d ask that any requests of this nature are discussed prior to your visit.

Can I bring alcohol on site?
No, unless you have written permission from the Events and Lettings Manager.

Can I smoke on site?
No, the entire school is a no smoking and no vaping area.

Is CCTV on the site?
Yes, CCTV is in operation across the school.

Can I bring food and drink onto site?
Yes, though please ensure you clean up after yourself. Any additional cleaning necessary will be chargeable.

Who do I contact in an emergency?

 If it requires an emergency response, please contact 999. All incidents should be reported to the Events and Lettings Manager.

Who do I report an incident to?
All incidents should be reported to the Events and Lettings Manager.

Who is responsible for First Aid?

 Hirers are responsible for providing their own qualified First Aider and a fully stocked first aid kit for the duration of the hire.

Insurance & Documentation

What paperwork do I need for hiring your facilities?

 Public liability, a risk assessment for their chosen activity, and a DBS from the lead hirer as a minimum. Should your activity involve children or vulnerable adults then an Enhanced DBS is essential. Other documents may be requested in the Hire Agreement.

What do I do if a third-party vendor is attending?
The expectation would be that the hirer has had sight of the Public Liability Insurance (PLI) for £5 million, Risk Assessments and Food Hygiene Certificates for the third-party vendor.

Do I always need Public Liability Insurance?

 Formal or constituted groups must provide PLI; applications without it will be refused. Informal or one-off bookings (e.g., private birthday parties) may not require PLI as the school assumes manageable risk for short, supervised events.

Parking & Transport

Is parking available?

 There is a visitor’s car park available on Queen’s Road which holds 15 cars and is available on a first come, first served basis. The larger on-site car park availability depends on timings and booking size (e.g Theatre hires)

Is there on-street parking nearby?
Yes, Spencers Road, Argyll Street, and Westwood Road are short walks from the school.