Empowering Education: University of Warwick Opens Science Labs to Support Students from Aylesford School, Warwick
Following the discovery of problems related to the construction of their main buildings many students at Aylesford School in Warwick have spent time being taught remotely rather than on-site during the Autumn. In particular, the closure of two thirds of their classrooms has led to some subjects losing access to the specialist teaching resources that are essential to the delivery of their curriculum.
The University has supported the affected students by providing the school with a £5000 donation of basic science equipment from microscopes to air cannons, which will allow students to take on practical lessons in non-specialist classrooms. In addition, they have also opened up their state-of-the-art science labs on the 14th & 15th December to provide Sixth Form Science students to complete their practical Chemistry & Biology exams and gain much needed hands-on experience.
Professor Sebastien Perrier, who facilitated the interaction between Aylesford and the University, says “It is great to be able to help Aylesford in these difficult times. Thanks to our fantastic teaching technical team in the Department of Chemistry, we could organise the practical lessons and give the children a great and much-needed experience – it turned into a great opportunity for the children to discover what University labs are like.
Now that we have set up this link, we are hoping to build further interactions and future partnerships with Aylesford and other local schools.”
Dr Hannah Bush, Head of Science at Aylesford School, Warwick says “It was fantastic to meet Professor Perrier and see him drop off the amazing science kit. This generous donation has allowed more interactive science lessons to be delivered and great relief from science staff that we can do safe practicals outside the lab. Once the original school buildings re-open for use all of this equipment can benefit all students from Early Years through to 6th Form.”