Pupils reach for the stars at new observatory

A SCHOOL has built a £60,000 observatory to inspire its pupils – and the public – to take up astronomy.

Long Eaton School has joined a select group of schools which have their own observatories.

Final frontier: Budding astronomers, far left, Sam Joebury, 11, Kassey Klym, 13, centre, and Rachel Cooper, 13, in the new observatory at Long Eaton School. Above: The youngsters, with head of astronomy Hayley Flood, try out the giant telescope.

It now wants pupils to explore the universe in class, and members of the public to join its new Long Eaton Astronomy Society.

Pupil Sam Joebury, 11, said: "It's amazing. I've seen Jupiter and its four moons. It was a yellow-beige colour and was amazing to see. I really enjoy everything to do with astronomy and would really like to do more of it as I get older."

The Malcolm Parry Observatory, named after the school's 2002-2010 chairman of governors, cost about £60,000.

The money came from the Science and Technology Facilities Council and the Wolfson Foundation, which provides grants to promote excellence in science and other fields.

The observatory has been created on the first floor of the school, in Thoresby Road.

Work started in August last year as part of a development to create ICT and media suites and a specialist photography classroom.

Up a spiral staircase is the dome, four metres in diameter, housing a 16-inch telescope.

The school is trying to work astronomy into its curriculum, while youngsters can also use it in after-school clubs.

The observatory is also open to the community to use.

Student Kassey Klym, 13, has also spotted Jupiter through the telescope.

She said: "It's incredible to look through it. I didn't think I would be able to see planets like this.

"Jupiter looks a lot different to the Earth. It was great being able to see it.

"The telescope is a great piece of equipment. I really enjoy astronomy."

Pupil Rachel Cooper, 13, was also impressed.

She said: "It is very exciting having this equipment in the school.

"It is really good and I can't wait to start using it and looking into the sky."

Hayley Flood, the school's head of astronomy , said: "We are very pleased with how it has turned out. The school was having an extension done anyway, so we thought while that was happening we could add this on to it.

"It has been really well received by the students.

"There was already a lot of interest in astronomy, but this has increased it.

"We felt we wanted to open it up to the public as well so more people in the community can use this great facility."

For more detail about using the observatory, send an e-mail to observatory@longeaton.derbyshire.sch.uk.