by Dartford Grammar School student Jason Taing

A bigger and better science building has been officially unveiled at Dartford Grammar School.

MP Elizabeth Truss, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Childcare, officially opened the extended Stephenson science building, which is in the International Baccalaureate world school.

The expansion revamp, largely funded by the government, cost £2.3 million and paid to refurbish all the laboratories, creating more practical space allowing the school to expand to six forms of entry in 2015.

Mrs Truss was delighted to have been invited to the school. She said: “Thank you very much for having me here today.”

Guests included the Mayor of Dartford Cllr Avtar Sandhu, Dartford MP Gareth Johnson, local councillors and school governors.

Also invited was Adrian Kearney, Head of IB in Europe, Africa and Middle East.

All students are able to use the new facilities, as all students from Years 7 to 13 study science as part of the curriculum. It is one of the school’s specialist subjects.

School captain Victoria Lincoln said: “Mrs Truss’ visit to DGS could not be more appreciated.

“Her passion for languages, maths and economics will act as an inspiration for DGS students to strive for more, especially those who want to pursue a career in science and business.”

Headmaster John Oakes added: “We welcome Mrs Truss as a key educational supporter of the importance of learning of languages, the importance of a core education until the age of 18 and a strong advocate of social mobility and the STEM subjects.

“Mrs Truss is aware of the academic significance of an IB education and we were delighted to welcome her, following the visit of the International Development Secretary Justine Greening last year to open the IB World School Centre.”

The science building, and the school’s annual science lecture, is named after former Head of Science, Dr Brian Stephenson.

Mrs Truss also met some of the school’s musicians who performed at the House of Commons in October during her visit on Wednesday.