On Saturday, we observed the official opening of the school’s new science building, The Rausing Science Centre.

The project began in 2019 with the demolition of the old Mitchinson's House, before a four-year build on a complex and intricate site. Beneath the new Science Centre lay a Roman road and important archaeological artefacts, while the challenges of getting materials and machinery into the Mint Yard and constructing a modern building in a World Heritage Site required meticulous planning. 

We were delighted to eminent plant biologist, Professor Sarah Gurr, returned to her King's to open the building. Sarah was in School House from 1974 to 1976, not only as one of the School’s very first girls, but also as one of its first A-level scientists. Formerly President of The British Society of Plant Pathology, Sarah held the Donder's Chair (Honorary) at Utrecht University from 2016-2017 and was awarded the President’s medal by BMS in 2018.

More than 100 members of the local and King’s School community attended the opening of this striking new centre which provides six state-of-the-art laboratories for physics, a beautiful science auditorium able to accommodate up to 140 and connects to refurbished facilities for the other sciences. The building will be used not only for King’s School pupils (all pupils study Biology, Chemistry and Physics for three years to IGCSE, while a third of sixth formers also take at least one science A-level) but also to support the local community. King’s runs a very popular ‘Saturday Smarties’ programme for children from partnership schools, as well as Family Science Days and workshops for local pupils and teachers.

Jude Lowson, Head of the King’s School, said:

“Our new Science Centre is a very special addition to our remarkable school and to this stunning setting in the heart of Canterbury. We are deeply indebted to the many donors whose contributions made this building possible – their generosity has underscored our ambition to provide the very best facilities for our pupils and to be able to share these with our local community."

Over 100 guests including OKS, donors, parents, staff and friends of the school were there and enjoyed lunch and tours of the new building. Thank you to everyone who donated and made the new science building possible.

If you would like to learn more about fundraising at King's, please visit the School website.