A FORMER county convent is at the heart of a high school bid to become a science college for Herefordshire.

Lugwardine Court has been bought by the friends of St Mary's RC High School, and will be used by children from sch ools all over the county, as well as adults, for scientific study.

The 630-pupil school, which takes great pride in its science achievements, will apply to the DFES to become a science college in October. It was ranked seventh in the country last year among schools for 11 to 16 year olds for its outstanding GCSE exam results.

If the bid is successful, St Mary's will become Herefordshire's only secondary science school from September next year.

Head of science at St Mary's, Chris Park, said: "We are a very successful science school and are proud of that. The government is giving us this opportunity in an attempt to attract more students to study science at a higher level and to use their scientific expertise in business and industry in the future."

Feeder schools

He added: "Friends of the school bought 22 acres of land, which has a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), bordering the River Lugg. Our bid will therefore have a strong environmental strand and will involve our students, feeder primary schools, local secondary schools and all ages of our community in a variety of projects."

These will include energy conservation, astronomy, sports science, health and social care and horticulture. The SSSI area will be monitored by web cam and the school's science block is being extended, so there will be room for visiting students.

Pupils will be able to draw on the expertise of Sir Bernard Lovell, a world-leading astronomer and founder of the radio telescope, who will become the school's science patron. His grandchildren attended St Mary's.

The former Tupsley Pegasus Juniors football team, now called FC Phoenix, is likely to become involved with sports science studies.

County schools are also helping to plan the projects. The first schools involved will be Whitecross High School, Barrs Court, St Francis Xaviers and Our Lady's in Hereford, St Joseph's in Ross-on-Wye, Much Birch and Little Dewchurch.

Adults will also benefit. Head teacher, Clive Lambert, said: "As part of the science developments we want to encourage more adults to take part in education. There's a one-and-a-half acre walled garden that we want to develop for horticultural purposes, such as organic gardening, in co-operation with other institutes like Holme Lacy College."

Mr Lambert said the school is collecting ideas to adapt the curriculum to include environmental, animal and ethical issues too. Future plans for St Mary's, founded by the Sisters of Charity when they owned Lugwardine Court, also include a Learn Direct Centre.

Mr Lambert said the newly acquired court is central to the school's plans. It will be adapted for studying music and religion, complete with recording rooms, and will probably become the site of an energy conservation project, such as solar energy. One room is being used to exhibit GCSE art work.

The building will also be used for teacher training and space will be let out to county charities including the anti bullying organisation BRAVO and Herefordshire Nature Trust, to help pay the mortgage. Kitchens will be used to cook school meals.

Developments will continue the nuns' passion to help the community and for the first time in many years will see children as well as adults study at Lugwardine Court.

"We are committed to working with the community. We want kids to leave with a love of learning, the skills they need, and an understanding of a sense of place and moral and ethical issues, and crave the next step of education," added Mr Lambert.

The school is now putting together the curriculum and community sections of its bid. Both involve linking up with industries and universities to set up student projects and attract industrial mentors. There will be teacher and student industrial placements at county businesses as well as at the school.

An evening presentation to launch St Mary's bid to become a science college will be held at the school on July 10 at 7.30pm. Further information from Clive Lambert on 01432 850416.