The changes to the grading in some GCSE subjects this year to a numerical system were navigated very successfully. In fact, more of our Year 11 girls gained top grades this year than last. However, the switch from modular to linear exams at A-level has undoubtedly had an impact. Studying a course over two years without intervening external assessment points demands a more joined-up approach to both teaching and learning.

I like to see this discarding of AS levels as a ‘liberation’ of Year 12, freeing the girls and their teachers from constant testing, to focus on deep teaching and learning. This will give them a chance to enjoy learning over a longer period of time, a chance to explore, reflect and make links. As an independent school we do have the luxury of more of an influence over our sixth form, being able to offer greater personalisation and flexibility beyond the exam specifications.

 Education is not just about academic progress, however, but also about taking opportunities. This year I had the huge privilege of travelling to New York with two of our Year 13 girls who had been handpicked to represent the National Council of Young Women Great Britain at the United Nations as part of the Commission on the Status of Women, CSW61.

 A significant highlight has been the strengthening of our home/school partnership and one of the great successes of the year has been the introduction of our parental seminars on ‘Raising Girls in the Twenty-First Century’. These have been very well attended as we tackle, together, the issues that face girls and young women in the world at school and beyond. Our parents are so supportive of everything we do and really go the extra mile, recently having raised money through fundraising events to buy and build a pizza oven in our fantastic outdoor learning area.

Julie Keller

 Our continuing commitment to the arts has had a huge boost with the opening of our £9m performing arts centre, ‘the space’. Likewise, we are delighted to share this space as part of our commitment to supporting the local community, and to see lots of bookings already filling up the calendar.

 I have to sign off with a four-legged highlight – the addition of Saffy the miniature Labradoodle to the school family this year has brought a lot of joy and a huge boost to the wellbeing of girls and staff alike. The benefits of dogs in schools are well documented, and we have recently begun to take part in the GDST Positive School’s programme, an initiative to support wellbeing across the whole-school community, further strengthening the work we do in recognising the need for resilient mental health.

 With the curriculum changes at all key stages now in full flow, I look forward to 2018 and focusing on being even more innovative with our teaching in this modern, forward-thinking and dynamic school. 

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Rosemary is currently founder and joint CEO of theatre company Trafalgar Entertainment, and also a former pupil at the school, and the new centre has been named after her.

A special event was organised to mark the official opening of The Squire Performing Arts Centre, ’the space,’ when guests were able to see this fantastic facility for themselves, and enjoy a gala performance of the school’s first major production in ‘the space’: Grease.

The development has been made possible thanks to the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), the leading group of independent girls’ schools in the UK who contributed an initial £7.5m to the project. The remaining £1.5m was raised through a Raise the Curtain campaign chaired and supported by Rosemary Squire and other donations from various trusts and patrons, including Nottingham philanthropist Sir Harry Djanogly, school alumnae, parents, students and friends of the school.

Their generosity has been acknowledged by naming rooms in ‘the space’ after them, including the main auditorium named after Lady Carol Djanogly (wife of Sir Harry Djanogly) and a studio named after Jenny Farr MBE – an alumna and former governor of the school. Generous support from The Garfield Weston Foundation will be recognised with the naming of the 74 seat studio theatre. Individual and group donations have also been acknowledged through gold, silver and bronze leaves on an art installation, the Donor Tree, which takes pride of place at the entrance to the centre.

This modern, new addition to the existing facilities will be used across the whole school providing performance space for the youngest girls’ right through to the Sixth Form, enhancing the teaching, learning and performance of music and drama at the school.

The centre will also be available for use by community groups, arts organisations, other schools and businesses, beyond school hours. It has been purposefully designed to widen access to the arts and for developing community led projects. Nottingham’s schools and vibrant local dance, music and theatre groups will now have access to high-quality, affordable space for teaching, rehearsal and performance – a provision that has so far been limited.

The building has been designed by Nottingham architectural practice MarshGrochowski and was built by Balfour Beatty.  It comprises a flexible 334 seat performance space with a 260 seat multi-purpose auditorium which, through the use of floor lifts, is divisible into two separate teaching and performance areas creating a separate 74 seat studio with dressing rooms, a multi-purpose rehearsal studio and green room as well as a café bar and breakout spaces. The acoustics are designed to ideally suit both musical productions and dialogue based performances and conferences.

The theatre also has an orchestra pit and control rooms with professional technical equipment, and a tension wire grid above the auditorium allowing safe access to lighting rigs and industry standard equipment, and enabling students to learn the professional skills of the theatre technician.

The opening of ‘the space’ has also created career and employment opportunities. Steve Ridgway, formerly of Nottingham Playhouse, has been appointed as the centre’s technical manager and will be supported by additional technicians along with openings for café bar and front of house staff.

A management committee has been set up to oversee the centre’s non-school use by the local community and external bodies.  This committee comprises representatives from Nottingham City Council, local arts organisations and the school, as well as local residents. With their input, a programme of events including plays, seminars, musical events, dance, workshops and activities will be devised to help develop a thriving community space within the city.

We are delighted to be opening our new performing arts centre and I’m sure it’s going to be a great addition, not only to the school, but also to the local community, and that’s really important – Julie Keller, Head of Nottingham Girls’ High School

Julie Keller, Head of Nottingham Girls’ High School, said: “We are delighted to be opening our new performing arts centre and I’m sure it’s going to be a great addition, not only to the school, but also to the local community, and that’s really important. With the many different facilities available, our girls will be able to learn many different theatre skills. Whether they’re interested in acting, singing, lighting or sound, there will be something for everybody.”

Referring to the imminent opening and naming of ‘the space’, Julie added: “As a result of Rosemary’s association with the school, the role she played in spearheading and supporting the fundraising and her status in the world of theatre, it is only fitting that the centre be named after her.”

“I had a fantastic time at Nottingham Girls’ High School, which instilled a love of the arts in me that encouraged me to pursue my career in theatre,” said Rosemary Squire. “It is therefore a great honour to not just have been involved in the fundraising for this new performing arts centre, but also to have my family name connected to a place that was so important to me. I can’t wait to see both the school and the local community benefit from it and to be in the audience for its many future exciting productions.”

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Mrs Gorham’s successor, Julie, will step in to the role with effect from Easter, after five years as Deputy Head at the school.

Preparation for the transition has been underway at the school for some time. In September, Ms Keller adopted the role of Executive Head of the Junior School to get to know the girls across all year groups, and take a lead role in every area of school management, before taking up the headship at Easter.

Julie gained her degree in Economic and Social History at the University of Leicester before achieving her PGCE teaching qualification at the University of Nottingham. An advocate of single-sex education, Julie has strengthened the pastoral care structure at the school and implemented a number of initiatives to support girls in their learning, including mentoring sessions, exam technique classes, subject coaches and peer mentors.

Julie said: “I’m delighted to take on the role of Head of Nottingham Girls’ High School. It’s a truly special place – one I will be incredibly proud to lead. Sue and I have been working closely together, particularly in the past year, to ensure the transition will be seamless. My goal remains the same as always – to give each girl the opportunities and support she needs to become the best she can be. I wish Sue all the very best in her retirement and look forward to an exciting and successful future for all of us here at Nottingham Girls’ High School.”

During Sue Gorham’s 10 years as Head of Nottingham Girls’ High School, academic standards have gone from strength to strength. Sue has also spearheaded the investment and transformation of the school’s facilities, including the extension of the Junior School, the complete refurbishment and upgrade of the science labs and the creation of the sixth form centre, outdoor learning area and the soon to be opened £9m SPACe performing arts centre.  

Sue added: “This is the right time for me to step down, for the school and for me personally. We are entering a new era, celebrating our 140 years has given us the opportunity to celebrate our history and the enormous success of our girls over the years. Now is the time to look forward and forge ahead with plans to ensure that the school remains the vibrant, positive and successful place it has always been, to be enjoyed by generations of girls to come. I’m immensely proud of all we have achieved in the last 10 years and I’m delighted to pass the torch to Julie, who has already earned the utmost respect of staff, parents and students and is going to make an outstanding Head.”

www.nottinghamgirlshigh.gdst.net

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