THE new Science Centre Extension at Peter Symonds College in Winchester has been officially opened.

Professor Lindy Holden-Dye, Professor of Neuroscience at Southampton University, snipped the ribbon at the sixth-form college on Friday (JULY4).

Principal Stephen Carville was joined by the architect, contractors, and Dr Colin Rees, the college’s former Head of Science as well as other staff and students.

Mike Richards, Head of Biology, said: “In 2001, we had 219 students who completed A Level Biology, Human Biology or Social Biology at Peter Symonds College. In 2013, the Biology Department entered over 1,000 students for A Level or AS Level, a far larger A Level exam entry from one subject than many 11-18 schools have in total.

“This growth in the popularity of Biology means that the Science Centre now no longer houses other science-related topics such as Psychology; Physics too is now housed elsewhere on the campus because Chemistry experienced similar growth and an extension became a necessity.”