A STATE of-the-art science facility has opened its doors to students at Warrington’s Priestley College after a £70,000 investment.
The new teaching space has been created to further support the ever-expanding science curriculum base at the college, where qualifications are offered in Biology, Chemistry, Electronics, Physics, Applied Science and Science in 
Society.
Nationally science has seen a seven per cent decrease in A-Level entries over the last five years.
But Priestley has bucked the trend with a 16 per cent increase in student enrolments over the same period.
Roger Hoyle, North West chairman of the Learning and Skills Council was the guest of honour at the opening ceremony, alongside Ian Ireland, a former head of science at Priestley who retired last summer after 25 years of service.
The new laboratory boasts a range of high-tec equipment and facilities including three fume cupboards and university standard analytical balances.
Curriculum manager for Science and Maths, Jan Costello, said: “The opening of our new lab is a landmark achievement for us. As our student population continues to increase in the area of Science, so has the need to expand our facilities.
“Our new lab really does give access to high level teaching and learning facilities, along with excellent university standard equipment to meet the needs of any Science student, many of whom go on to pursue careers in high level fields such as medicine and engineering.”
Picture shows, left to right, science student Jo Pickering, Bill Rutter, Ian Ireland, Roger Hoyle, North West chairman of the LSC, Priestley principal Mike Southworth and science student Katherine McKie.
