Aspiring scientists and medics at Rydal Penrhos still continue to benefit from practical work despite the current concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

Rydal Penrhos has been at the forefront of COVID-19 safety protocols both during the first lockdown and upon their return to school. Senior leaders and teaching staff have left no stone unturned when it comes to their meticulous preparations and precautions in accordance with Welsh Government guidance, which has enabled pupils to continue their normal day-to-day routines.

This also includes in a scientific environment. Practical work remains almost unchanged from a typical academic year at the school and although some tasks have had to change somewhat in their order due to the equipment being quarantined, this method of learning continues to be of substantial benefit for pupils across all year groups.

It bears even more significance for members of the Sixth Form community at Rydal Penrhos, especially those who are pursuing a career in medicine or engineering in later life. Missing out on this crucial period of their learning is something that simply wasn’t an option for our teaching staff, who have worked tirelessly to ensure their normal study methods remain in place, albeit in a more cautious environment.

Different bubbles aren’t permitted to use the same equipment at the same time, and each piece of equipment is cleaned thoroughly at the end of each lesson.

It is an uncertain time for pupils and our families, who are being restricted in their movements due to the local lockdown implemented by the Welsh Government last week. At Rydal Penrhos, we are aiming for them to gain some normality during school hours with a strong academic programme and a rich variety of extra-curricular activities.

Some of the practicals this week include:

Rydal Penrhos Biology

• Year 11 extraction of DNA from kiwi fruit
• Year 10 food testing
• Year 12 measuring incipient plasmolysis (This is only possible as we are able to allocate each Year 12 and 13 biology pupil with their own microscope)
• Year 13 are carrying out a microbiology practical (serial dilution) next Monday afternoon.

Chemistry

• Year 10 burning magnesium to derive the empirical formula.
• Year 8 making and testing concrete
• Sixth Form have been using 2:4 DMP to identify aldehydes and ketones

Physics

• Year 12 have produced stationary waves and “frozen” them using a stroboscope
• Year 12 measured the speed of sound using quarter-wavelength standing waves of various frequencies
• Year 10 have been investigating electric circuits and the current/voltage characteristics of fixed resistors, filament bulbs and diodes

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Rydal Penrhos is now able to offer private tours to prospective pupils and their families.

For more information email admissions@rydalpenrhos.com, call 01492 530155 or book online at https://rydal.wpengine.com/open-days-visits.