PICTURES: Inside Talbot Heath's stunning new learning hub

Independent girls' school Talbot Heath has announced the completion of its state-of-the-art STEAM(Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Maths) Hub, designed to support flexible and inter-disciplinary learning for all ages.

The hub, which contains a 600-seat auditorium, robotic and electronic workshops and an indoor pool, has been built in less than 18 months and is also going to be available to schools, businesses and community groups outside of school hours.

Designed by Western Design Architects, the multi-million pounds building also houses art and textiles studios, a design technology lab, drama studios, immersive interactive walls and holograms, changing rooms, exhibition space and classroom/training rooms.

The opening of a covered pool facility will allow the creation of a specialist swim academy in partnership with Poole Swimming Club, who will also use the pool as an additional training hub for their own medal-winning teams.

The completion of the building is a key milestone in Talbot Heath’s vision for the future of education. The facility will become a valuable resource for the school and will support future-focused learning and skills development for people across Dorset.

The STEAM Hub allows the school to achieve its vision for education, providing students access to holographic, green screen and cinematographic facilities, robotics, CAD design, 3D printing and design technology workshops.

Students will be able to work with industry experts to design solutions to real world problems, digitally map their designs, 3D print and build them and then test and revise them.

Students will experience immersive learning through projection on floors, walls and ceilings and have the opportunity to visualise learning environments through a collaboration with Centre VR in Bournemouth. They will be able to control the lighting and design of the building, exhibiting their work digitally on the walls and windows of the STEAM Hub.

Angharad Holloway, head teacher said: "We are delighted that our vision for the STEAM Hub is now a reality. This exciting development will support interdisciplinary learning for our students and allow us to extend our innovative curriculum to meet the needs of people from across Dorset. We are pleased to be working with a range of industry leaders to develop curriculum models that bring together excellence of teaching and cutting-edge technology and knowledge.”