The Lord Mayor of Chester went back to school recently to formally open refurbished science laboratories.

Cllr Jill Houlbrook and Lady Mayoress Rachel Walker were joined at Bishops’ Blue Coat CE High School by two former pupils, Nasa scientist Emma Bullock and her sister Catherine Bullock, now a meteorologist.

The school’s Year 10 science ambassadors, staff and governors welcomed the visiting party and gave them a tour of the science block where they watched Year 8 students working with magnets and spoke to a sixth form physics class who were working on several different practical experiments.

Emma Bullock, who left Bishops’ in 1998, is now working in USA and she spoke to students about her memories of the school.

She said: “I never imagined when I was taking part in my science lessons that I would one day be working for Nasa. Take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way, you will never know where they may take you.”

Cllr Jill Houlbrook said: “When you have committed teachers and enthusiastic students, you also need facilities and resources to ensure that both teachers and students can maximise the potential for success. I am delighted that Bishops’ was granted funding to upgrade the science laboratories to provide up to date facilities to help ensure that students can attain at the highest levels they can.”