HEADTEACHERS, staff and pupils, old and present, gathered at Watford Grammar School on Monday, for the opening of its £800,000 science and technology suite.

The construction and development of the five-lab suite, which follows last week's National Science Week, stems from the ongoing demand for the school in Ricmkansworth Road, Watford, to offer more secondary school placements.

Former headteacher Mr John Coleman, who initiated the suite's development more than 12 months ago, before leaving in September, shared his own personal memories of its development with guests, before conducting the opening at 3.45pm.

Mr Coleman, now a professor of chemical education at the University of York, said: "It gives me great pleasure to be here marking the official opening of the school's new science and technolgy suite today.

"There has never been a more significant time or need for people to become involved and learn about science. Modern advances in scientific explorations are constantly in the news, reiterating it as a key area of study for the future."

Mr Coleman commended the layout of the suite, consisting of three science labs, one design technology lab and a computer room, in relation to the importance of linking science with technolgy.

He said: "In the workplace, the industries are interwined and very much linked. Through the use of this suite, pupils will, hopefully, become aware of this evident link, making its education almost seamless."

Guests present, including Watford MP Claire Ward, viewed all five rooms, where pupils in years 8, 9 and 10 could be seen demonstrating the new facilties.

Adam Saunders, a year 8 pupil, said: "The new labs are great. They are really modern, and make the carrying out of experiments much easier."

Headteacher Mr Martin Post, who, as a result of the extension, will invite an additional 18 pupils this September, said: "This is the first structural development the science unit at the school has seen for at least 20 years.

"We were previously found to be deficient in terms of providing adequate key stage three science space.

"This is now no longer the case. Following the construction of these brand new labs which will also allow us to expand further in years to come we hope more pupils will be encouraged to consider and pursue the study of science at a higher level."

Original science laboratories located in the school's sports building will still remain in use by younger pupils.