LORD Professor Robert Winston took time out of his schedule this week to give students in East Acton a quick science lesson.
The multifaceted doctor, surgeon and television presenter paid a visit to the North West London Independent School today (12), to meet staff and students and open the science lab which now shares his name.
The school, in Old Oak Common Lane, specialises in teaching youngsters with behavioural difficulties who have been excluded from mainstream schools.
Having recently moved to new premises, the school now has a capacity for 55 students, with a catchment area that includes nine boroughs across West London.
The pioneering doctor, who worked for many years at Hammersmith Hospital, was invited to become involved with the school after he appeared on the Channel 4 programme, Jamie's Dream School, as one of the experts teaching a group of teenagers who had dropped out of school.
The Winston science lab has been created to give students the chance to take part in experiments which might have been considered too much of a risk at their previous schools.
Thomas Keaney, chief executive of TC Education Services (TCES), who run the school, said: "Lord Winston has inspired the nation with his work at Hammersmith Hospital and in television science education and we are very proud that he opened the science department that bears his name.
"He has already shown, with his work with 'Jamie's Dream School' his commitment to the education of disadvantaged young people."
During his visit, Lord Winston was given a tour of the school and even gave some students a quick lesson in acids and alkalis.
The school, which is one of three owned by TCES, also has a separate unit for autistic children.
Although in the same building, the teenagers with behavioural difficulties do not come into contact with the autistic pupils.
Currently nine West London councils refer students to the school, which teaches youngsters aged 11 to 16.
"We educate some of the most challenging young people in the country, offering positive outcomes to young people of school age who are at the point of disengaging with education," said Mr Keaney, "Many of these pupils are known to the criminal justice system, a number have not been in school for many months, a significant percentage are looked after, most have already been excluded from at least one school.
"TCES supports these young people in achieving a wide range of accredited outcomes in examinations and other courses and foster a sense of pride, purpose and achievement."
