Konnie Huq Opens New Building at Her Old School

Notting Hill & Ealing High launches sustainable facilities at Junior School

Konnie Huq (left) during the opening ceremony

February 6, 2024

TV personality Konnie Huq has returned to her old school to officially open a new building.

She was back at Notting Hill & Ealing High School (NHEHS) this Friday (2 February) to cut the ribbon on new facilities for the Junior School.

She was joined by NHEHS staff past and present, architects, landscapers, engineers, project managers and representatives from all the contractors involved attended the ceremony, led by Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) CEO Cheryl Gianniovani.

The invited guests then toured the new sustainable building to see the triple-height atrium, library with lantern roof, photovoltaic panels, sustainable wood cladding and acoustic insulation panels.

The ceremony was held on the School’s ‘Move to Ealing’ Day, a celebration of the day that the school moved from Norland Square, Notting Hill to its present site in 1931, 93 years ago; this year’s theme was the founding of the school 150 years ago. Senior pupils celebrated the day by performing in or watching a play written by Headmaster Matthew Shoults and staff were treated to afternoon tea in the main hall. Chair of Governors, Charlie Altman, and one of the school’s oldest alumna, Madeleine Heggs, who left in 1948, were also in attendance.

Prior to the ceremony, Year 5 and 6 pupils attended a ‘Building the Future’ careers discussion with Carol Lees (Partner at Architects Hawkins Brown), Jade Pleass (Associate at Hawkins Brown), together with Cheryl Giovannoni, Cathryn Buckle (Director of Estates)and Laura Lincoln (Senior Project Manager) from the GDST.

Kate Bevan, Head of the Junior School, said, “It was wonderful to gather together so many people involved in this complex and significant project to celebrate its completion.”

“We have been using the school’s construction as a learning opportunity for the girls,” continued Ms Bevan. “Our older pupils loved this afternoon’s panel discussion involving women who played key roles in the project. Pupils asked interesting and insightful questions and learned more about the challenges and joys of jobs in construction and architecture.”

Delivered in just 18 months, the GDST-funded project aims to support the trust’s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2050. The new building is designed to carbon neutral with many sustainable elements.

Cheryl Giovannoni added, “Today’s official opening has brought to life the numerous ways in which sustainability runs through everything that we do at the GDST. I am confident that our investment in this ground-breaking carbon-neutral development, along with the female panel’s invaluable insights about the important role sustainability will continue to play in construction and architecture, will inspire even the youngest pupils of NHEHS to maintain a healthy interest in environmental issues.”

“Today gave us as a school community the opportunity to celebrate both our proud 150 year history, and the opening of our Junior School, which will allow us to continue to offer an outstanding education in the future,” said Headmaster Mr Shoults. “A significant focus of our
anniversary has been on fundraising for more bursaries, improving social mobility and access to the opportunities we give our girls.”

A number of other celebrations will punctuate the school’s 150th year. A birthday tea party for alumnae was held on the school’s birthday on 16 September and a book of 150 memories of the school is due to be published soon. Still to come, on 11 March, the school will hold a concert at Cadogan Hall, London, singing a specially commissioned piece by composer Kerry Andrews, and the Parents’ Guild Anniversary Ball will be held on 23 March. All events will raise funds to support a new bursary appeal.