Lift -Off for science block by ex-student astronomer'
Students and staff were 'starry eyed' when former student Abigail Rymer did the honours and opened our new Science Facility. Abi is now an astronomer working on the Cassini Project with NASA in USA In the course of her research she discovered the 'northern lights' of Saturn, never seen before!
Our Headteacher said "It was wonderful to welcome back Abigail as she is a perfect example of what can be achieved by hard work.Our facilities are first class and there is simply no comparison between them and the old block. We have been campaigning for new ones since 1990 so seeing them finally open is wonderful. We always strive to provide our students with the best facilities and now they have a perfect facility in which to learn."
Abigail said "I am delighted to be back here, 22 years later, opening this splendid Science Facility which will be educating the scientists of the future."
See Pics below.
New Science Facility
After many years of negotiation and planning, work has finally finished on our new Science Facility. As far back as 1990 the school was on a priority list but constantly being knocked back although laboratories had been labelled 'unfit for purpose'. New laboratories were added in 1995 but did not replace the original ones. Finally after an appraisal in 2008 the project was given the go-ahead in April 2009 to replace the old ones. Two weeks before the final confirmation of the order to build, the plans were put on hold. Suddenly school projects were being axed all over the country. After much anxiety, the go ahead was given and the confirmed order placed.
The build of 6 brand new laboratories containing specialist rooms for chemistry, physics and biology has cost over two million. The rooms are state of the art to enhance teaching and learning for the modern day.Science staff have been consulted throughout the planning, attending meetings. Completion date was June 2011 and the final hand-over meeting was on the 3rd November 2011. This means we now have 12 laboratories, a new ICT Room, a new Science Staff Room and two new Preparation Rooms.
Demolition of the original laboratories has taken place, leaving the school with 6 laboratories, an ICT Room, 2 prep.rooms and a staffroom. Three remaining rooms from the original build are being converted and refurbished as a LINC room, Lytham Inclusion room and a new Vocational Construction Room which in collaboration with Blackpool & Fylde College will house bricklaying, electrical training and plumbing.
LSA Business Manager, and key LSA project planner Peter Webster said " My work involves capital projects and to see the fruition of so many years of waiting and planning is very rewarding. The school deserves an appropriate environment for the scientists of the future and this team effort has really paid off."
Martin Taylor, Site Manager for Conlon Construction Limited, said “It’s fantastic to have worked with one of our best clients Lancashire County Council and LSA Technology and Performing Arts College in creating this state of the art Science Facility”.
Our Head teacher Phil Wood says "I am delighted with our new science block and very grateful to our Business Manager Peter Webster for his tenacity, and Lancashire County Council for their financial support , which has allowed us to bring to fruition this project at a time of economic difficulty and financial constraint.
The Facility was open to students from September 2011 and the official opening was on the 25th of November when one of our former science students, Abigail Rymer, performed the honours.
