This page is a record of the Science Laboratory development, which opened at the beginning of the Summer Term 2008.

1st May, 2008

Finished at last, though actually the labs were in use at the beginning of term, in mid-April.

The first entry on this record was 12th July, 2007. Have a look at the bottom of the page to see the stages of its development - and some pictures of the inevitable mess! It really has been a major project. As we are in the Green Belt it is not easily possible to extend outwards, so the rather cavernous roof space was converted into classrooms and offices.

As I write this, at the beginning of May, everything is transformed, and there are two pictures of 5M engaged in various different activities in a Science lesson on 1st May, 2008.

18 January 2008

Quite a Change

There is some unavoidable disruption in the Academic Block at the moment, though lessons seem to be going remarkably smoothly. The labs are now being fitted out, as you can see in the pictures below.

  

11 January 2008

They really are working quickly now to fit out and finish the labs.

One of the labs
 

The other lab

The corridor

19 December

We were told at the staff meeting just after the end of term that the stairs to the Science Laboratories would be fitted literally days before the boys came back at the beginning of January.

Well, they have been working apace. This week the openings for the stairs have been completed - that means removing the false ceiling previously there - and supporting girders fixed.

Below are some photos of the stairwells and the new labs which have been decorated and had their floors laid.

24 November

The plasterboards have now all been put in place and all the plastering has now been completed, except a few areas where the new stairs will be put in. Below are some pictures I took before, and after, the plastering had been done in Lab 1 and 2 respectively:

3 November

The builders have been busy putting up the plasterboard on the wall structure. Here are some photos of the new Lab 1 and Lab 2 respectively:

4 October

The builders have been working hard, and the wall structure is now going up in the new Science Labs. The picture below was taken at about 6pm today.

29 August

Now You Can See It!

Thanks to Adrian Hollyer, the Bursar, for going onto the scaffolding a few days ago to photograph the grounds and the building work. The one below is particularly interesting, showing the design of the windows.

22 August

The first shot shows the labs facing south - the window at the end faces onto the fields. The picture below that shows some of the skylights.

7 August

First Picture of the Science Labs
The window frames are in, and things are moving on apace. The upstairs is dustier than ever, but at least the new labs have a floor and windows now. I am sure all will be ready by the time the boys return.

2 August

Real progress
Today holes were created in the roof ready for the new windows. The picture below shows one of the workmen preparing the new ceiling supports (I think!).

24 July

Spot the Difference
Here is another picture of the Mr Chapman's room, taken at around 6pm today. Quite a few changes!

12 July

You can't make an omelette ...
... without breaking eggs. Well, the eggs are definitely broken now. The carpets have been covered with plastic and hardboard, and the ceiling has been removed throughout the upstairs of the academic block.

A picture of Mr Chapman's room (3C/Geography) is below. The pile by the wall is the foam which was above the ceiling tiles. The coiled wires hanging from the ceiling are lighting electrical cables.