A gala dinner at the Palace of Westminster gave those in attendance the chance to learn more about the school’s plans to transform Dundee’s prominent former Head Post Office, acquired by the school in 2013, into a flagship, multi-million pound arts centre.

The evening marked the beginning of a drive to raise funds for the campaign, which will run until 2020.

Built in 1898 in the French Renaissance style, the city’s historic former Head Post Office had lain unused prior to its purchase by the school.

The school is currently working with architects Page\Park to finalise the plans and designs for the redevelopment. The aim is to sensitively adapt and enhance the building to provide first-class learning and teaching facilities for Art, Drama, Music and Culinary Arts, as well as a main school auditorium, a new dining hall and further administrative and social spaces for pupils and staff.

A spokesperson for Page\Park, said: “The acquisition by the School of the former Post Office building adjacent to the main school complex has initiated a remarkable vision for an Arts complex second to none in an academic context in the United Kingdom.”

Work to tidy up and strip out the building has been completed and the development, once it commences, will be carried out in stages over several years.

The Rector of the High School of Dundee, Dr John Halliday, said the project offers an unparalleled opportunity to safeguard an iconic Dundee landmark whilst creating a unique and innovative resource not only for the High School but also for the city’s wider community.

He said: “”The ability to think analytically, critically, but also creatively is a crucial component of what we do in school. The new centre is a once-in-a-century opportunity for us to ensure that creativity continues to flourish within the education we provide our pupils, for generations to come.”

The school will be holding a further public launch of its campaign in Dundee on August 31st.