Thanks for all your input everyone - really useful!!!

I'm meeting with the school principal tomorrow to pick his brains about what the stumbling blocks were last year regarding outsourcing to a different venue last year.

Have a vague plan in mind to use the village hall (across the road from school so no transport required), staffed by a private provider and apply for funds for equipment etc. from council and/or a charitable trust/foundation.

Wish me luck!