Sawtry Village Academy has completed a major upgrade of its science laboratories.

The two-year project has provided students with improved facilities for practical experiments.

The first phase of the refurbishment, which saw three laboratories upgraded, was completed in 2023.

This summer, three more laboratories were modernised, ensuring all six labs were ready for the students' return in September 2024.

The project was funded by Meridian Trust, with each laboratory upgrade costing around £100,000.

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Simon Moore, faculty lead for science at Sawtry Village Academy, said: “The refurbishment has transformed our science labs into modern, functional spaces that cater to a wide range of practical experiments.

"We carefully considered the layout to enhance usability and further improvements were implemented in the second phase.

“Having reliable and well-designed facilities has already made an impact on the quality of our student’s work and it’s clear to see that they appreciate the investment in their learning environment.”

The new laboratories have been designed with a student-focused layout, featuring long fixed benches for group work, electrical sockets, and gas taps at each workstation.

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They also include advanced equipment such as Liebig condensers and water jet vacuum pumps for sixth-form classes and demonstrations.

Safety features have been prioritised in the new designs, with modern electrical distribution boards and an emergency stop button to control gas taps and electrical sockets.

Mark Woods, chief executive officer at Meridian Trust, said: “We are thrilled to have provided our students at Sawtry Village Academy with modernised science laboratories that will significantly enhance the learning experience for all students.

“Providing high-quality learning environments for our students and staff is one of our core Trust values, and future upgrades will include the installation of an air-source heat pump for consistent heating across all laboratories, along with a modernised prep lab to support technicians in efficiently storing and maintaining equipment.”