ST Laurence School in Bradford on Avon has been awarded a £50,000 grant from the Wolfson Foundation for its science project.

Head teacher Fergus Stewart said the “incredibly generous” support would enable the school to complete its project to transform the provision of science education.

He added: “We were absolutely delighted to receive this award. This generous contribution will allow us to complete our programme of modernisation and much-needed updating of our science facilities.

“Our science students of today are the potential scientists, engineers and mathematicians of the future.

“This significant contribution enables us to equip our young people with the right tools to foster their knowledge, skills and enthusiasm for the sciences so that they might, one day, make a difference on a larger stage.

“But the benefits extend beyond the purely financial and this news, coming as it does during a period of uncertainty and challenge, acts as a tremendous fillip for our school community.

“We are extremely grateful to the Wolfson Foundation for this investment in our young people and are excited about the constructive impact it will engender in the future.”

With some of the school’s science classrooms housed in temporary buildings no longer fit for purpose, St Laurence launched a £60,00 appeal in March last year to help raise funds to modernise its facilities and extend the capacity of the premises dedicated to science education.

Work began on the new science block in spring 2019 with the creation of three new state-of-the art laboratories and a new classroom.

Funding towards the development came from a Community Infrastructure Levy and some reserves, however the school faced a £60,000 shortfall.

To address the funding gap, the school launched an appeal to raise funds to equip the new laboratories.

Bradford on Avon Town Council made a £10,000 donation and parents also chipped in. All additional funds raised will be spent on equipping the science build.

Paul Ramsbottom, the Wolfson Foundation’s chief executive, said: “We were hugely impressed by the ambition of the plans for the new science facilities.

“They will be a huge asset to the pupils, and hopefully an inspiration to the scientists of the future. We are delighted to be involved.”