Technical event production installation expert Hawthorn, has helped Harrow School – one of Britain’s leading independent schools and home to a range of historic event venues – develop an innovative staging solution for its famous Speech Room that has more than halved the installation time for its temporary staging.

Already one of Harrow School’s approved suppliers for providing technical expertise and equipment, Hawthorn was invited to help the school transform its unique event space. Built in 1871, the Speech Room is the school’s main assembly hall and hosted Sir Winston Churchill’s famous ‘Never Give In’ speech in 1941. The previous staging featured a timber and board stage, which took eight people at least one day to install.

With a hectic schedule of events ranging from weddings and assemblies to theatre productions and corporate events, Harrow School required a staging solution that could be installed or removed easily and quickly to accommodate the unique requirements of each occasion.

Hawthorn's install team engaged with Stage Solutions – specialists in the design of modular and portable stages – to develop a stage design that would meet Harrow School’s needs as well as complement this spectacular room. Together a solution was developed that cut installation time to four hours, requiring just four members of staff to assemble. This simpler design features an aluminium beam substructure, sitting on minimal structural legs supporting 1m x 2m decks.

The high speed installation process gives Harrow School the ability to move quickly to meet the needs of any client. Lauren Glynn, commercial and events manager at Harrow School, commented: “It’s been an exciting project to work on with Hawthorn and the team from start to finish. Seeing the designs to install has transformed the possibilities within our unique venue space. We now have capacity to transform the venue in so many ways and really broaden our portfolio and offering, watch this space…”

Phil Sparkes, sales manager at Stage Solutions added: “This was the perfect challenge for us; to make our modular staging work in a bespoke setting – and what a setting! The staff instantly understood the difference the new kit would make."