Kent’s science masterclass for Brompton students

Students from Brompton Academy cut short their summer holiday for a science masterclass at Kent.

The 24 students are studying A-levels in sciences and maths at the Gillingham-based Academy. A day before the start of term (6 September), they took part in a series of lab-based experiments led by University staff and postgraduate students in its Ingram Building on Canterbury campus.

Brompton Academy, which specialises in science and arts, is offering A-levels for the first time this year. The Academy has been sponsored by the University of Kent since 2010. Support includes curriculum development, specialist teaching staff and pupil mentoring by PhD students to enrich student experience.

Patrick Robbins, Head of Science and Sport Mini-School at Brompton Academy, said: ‘Introducing A-levels is a sea change in the culture of the school and will help us become not only more academic, but fulfill our specialisms, under University guidance. The day at Kent was an exciting opportunity for our new students to experience working in a state-of-the-art lab.’

Dr Gaby Roch, subject specialist within the University’s Faculty of Sciences, said: ‘It was a great way to help students with the start of their A-level coursework and we hope to offer other lab-based opportunities as their studies progress.’

She added: I’ve never seen such an engaged bunch of students and it’s great that they came in during their summer holiday.’

Contact: pressoffice@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 2:06pm 14 September 2012