The new theatre, based at the lower school's premises on Towersey Road, was officially opened on Monday by the former head of English and drama, Gerard Gould.

Welcomed back to the grounds having taught at the school for 20 years from 1956 to 1976, Gerard gave a talk to the students and guests assembled.

Performances were also put on in both spaces, such as scenes from the school's Christmas production of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, as an example of how the theatre will be used in the future.

Headteacher, David Wybron, paid tribute to the hard work and generosity of many individuals and organisations who had helped with fundraising and made the new theatre plans possible.

"We now have an excellent facility which can be used for the teaching of dance and drama with the opportunity to turn two spaces into one space for performances in the creative arts," he said.

"It is also the new home for Thame Youth Theatre." However, the head was also keen to point out that the new theatre project - which replaces the original that was burnt down by a former student in 2007 - has only reached the half-way mark.

The completion of stage one has meant getting the building and performance space re-built, which includes "flexibility of space that divides in the middle for teaching and learning for more than just one class during the day", explains Mr Wybron, "and is to be used by the Thame Youth Theatre at night". With the Phoenix Theatre Appeal still in the process of raising funds for the ongoing project, the next stage of development is to cost approximately £150,000.

"The provision of telescopic seating and state-of-the-art lighting and sound are now next on the agenda," added Mr Wybron, eager to complete the theatre as soon as financially viable.

"The fundraising hasn't stopped and more school money will once again be contributed."

Roughly speaking the seating will cost approximately £50,000 with a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system costing about 100,000.

"They don't come cheap, and we want the best," adds the ambitious head teacher, determined to work hard once again with the local community to raise further funds.

"In an ideal world I would hope to have the seating installed by Spring term next year, and in a year's time to have the sound system in and have everything in place and completed."