WORK has begun on a £4.5m sixth form centre and senior school dining hall at Nottingham High School.

Located in the West Quad area at the heart of the school's buildings, it will provide spacious and modern facilities for senior school and sixth form pupils.

A 500-capacity dining hall with new kitchen facilities will be on the ground floor, leaving the current dining hall free for Nottingham High Junior School pupils.

The first and second floors will be given over to sixth formers, housing a coffee bar and brasserie, a cyber café and large, bright social areas.

A bridge link will connect the social area to the library.

The centre has been designed by Nottingham architects Maber, and contractor G F Tomlinson has been appointed to build it.

The roof enclosing the west quad will be covered in translucent cushions and perimeter glazing between the existing high level walls.

Designers hope the underside of the new roof will give the appearance that it 'floats' above the new walls.

Ensuring the development is as environmentally-friendly as possible, up to 60% of the energy required for the facility will be provided by a combined heat and power installation.

The design for the enclosed quad will also make maximum use of natural light and ventilation.

Kevin Fear, Nottingham High School headmaster, said: "Sixth formers at Nottingham High School achieve outstanding academic results and the expansion of our facilities will ensure they benefit from a high quality social and learning space.

"This will, I hope, inspire all generations of the school to aspire to lead it in the sixth form."

Simon Middlecote, of Maber, said: "We were careful to ensure the centre will respect the existing buildings by keeping it in proportion and by selecting a palette of materials that will complement them.

"The building's design is distinct and contemporary and will provide a vibrant new heart for the school that students can enjoy."

The centre is due to be completed by September 2009.

Nottingham High School is an independent fee-paying boys' school with around 900 pupils aged 11 to 18.

Next to it is Nottingham High Junior School, catering for younger boys, and from September 2008, the Lovell House Infant School will teach boys from the age of four.