One year on from work starting on its £9m development, Nottingham Girls’ High School marked a milestone moment in the construction of its spectacular new performing arts centre, The Squire Performing Arts Centre (The SPACE). Students, staff, governors, the development board and supporters, took a tour of the site and signed a special plaque that will be incorporated in to the building as part of the topping out ceremony.
Almost 10 years in design and development and due to open later in the year, The SPACE will be a valuable new resource for the school’s students and the wider Nottingham community.
Julie Keller, Head of Nottingham Girls’ High School, said: “The SPACE is a real labour of love for our whole school community. It’s taken the best part of 10 years’ hard work, dedication and fundraising to make this dream a reality, so to see it as it is now – almost complete – is an amazing milestone for all of us at Nottingham Girls’ High School and everyone who has supported the project along the way. Our students can’t wait to get in there and make the most of the new facilities and we’re looking forward to working with the many other local schools, community groups, and arts organisations which have already shown tremendous interest and support for this valuable new resource.”
The SPACE will feature a flexible 345 seat performance space, orchestra pit and large floor lift to provide multi-purpose use, music rehearsal and theory rooms, dressing rooms, ballet barres, professional lighting, control rooms with professional mixing desks and multi-use acoustic design for spoken word and musical performances.
As well as performance facilities, The SPACE will be used to give Nottingham Girls’ High School students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, learning the skills of professional theatre technicians such as lighting, sound recording, box office and back stage.
Former Director General of MI5, Nottingham Girls’ High School alumna and Patron of The SPACE development board, Dame Stella Rimington, was also in attendance to show her support for the build, alongside ex-Head, Sue Gorham, who retired from her post at Easter.
