St Dunstan’s celebrated new facilities with an official opening event attended by two distinguished alumni

St Dunstan’s College in Catford, south London has officially opened its new Junior School, STEM Block and Sixth Form Centre. Built over the past 18 months, the facilities were opened by Nobel Prize winner Sir Martin Evans and Chairman of Barclays, Nigel Higgins – both are former pupils of St Dunstan’s.

Following the plaque unveiling, guests took a tour of the new £25million facilities with pupil demonstrations in the STEM classrooms and musical entertainment from the Big Band. For many guests, including the College’s parents and carers, this was the first time exploring the new facilities due to the pandemic. Alongside state-of-the-art classrooms, the new building includes a Junior School library, Sixth Form Café and College shop.

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Sir Martin Evans OD touring science facilities at the official opening event at St Dunstan’s

St Dunstan’s Headmaster Nicholas Hewlett says: “It was a delight to host the formal opening of our new buildings; the culmination of years of planning. It represents the most fundamental redevelopment of our College site since 1888, and to have achieved this within the context of the pandemic is testament to the creative zeal and tenacity of so many, not least our Bursar, Mrs Clair Wilkins.

“I am most grateful to Sir Martin Evans OD, and Nobel Prize winner, for unveiling the plaque, and to Nigel Higgins OD, Chairman of Barclays, for his reflections on the school and its exciting trajectory. At such a milestone event, I am mindful of our foundation and the wish of the governors at the time that the school be ‘ahead of the current time’. A forward-thinking approach to education is in the DNA of St Dunstan’s, and these buildings do nothing but further promote our school in that regard.”

The new £25 million facilities will soon be joined by a large outdoor space, named The Plaza, and a new theatre.

St Dunstan’s College stdunstans.org.uk

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