MONTHS after the Duke of Westminster hit out at local firms’ lack of support for a Chester school, Queen’s Park High School in Handbridge has opened its doors to leaders of industry.
Representatives from Unilever, Shell, British Gas and the University of Chester attended the school’s Science Faculty open day to celebrate the completion of the final stage of the development of its science facilities.
In July the Duke of Westminster lashed out at city employers who shunned invitations to the opening of the library and learning centre at Queen’s Park High School.
Four laboratories have been completely refitted and a new science laboratory built as part of a £2m refurbishment of the school.
The new laboratory was opened by Holger Paesler, site manager from Shell and the school’s new eco-garden was opened by a representative from British Gas, which sponsored the project. Students can now use the garden to study ecology and grow their own vegetables.
During the open day sixth form science students attended lectures including “Animal Behaviour” by Professor Colleen Shaffner from the University of Chester, “Commercial Science” by Massimo Noro from Unilever and “Careers in Science” by Denise Penny, UK Regional Manager of Analytical Technology for Shell Global Solutions UK.
Year 8 students from the school have been working on a “Launch Pad Project” with the Science Museum in London, sponsored by Shell.
Headteacher Andrew Firman said: “The event was a big success in celebrating our new facilities and our students’ work in science. The involvement of scientists from Shell, Unilever and the University of Chester was excellent and showed our students of science at A-level, how what they learn can be applied to add value to our lives. They were great role models for our students considering scientific careers for the future. It was also good to be able to thank the volunteers from British Gas who made such a positive difference to our Eco Garden development. We are most grateful to these organisations for allowing these busy people to be with us on this special occasion.”
