What is Lab 13?

Irchester Community Primary School is one of the only schools in the country that has a dedicated laboratory space which we call Lab 13. Our lab has a wealth of science resources and a dedicated Scientist in Residence working alongside teachers to enhance the science curriculum and inspire our children.

Lab 13 is a place where children can become immersed in exciting, hands-on practical science, they learn to ask and investigate questions, that it is okay to get things wrong and we strive to build confident, curious scientists during their time here at ICPS.

Mrs Castle, our Scientist in Residence, has an Applied Biology degree as well as a varied career working in science. This is a unique and wonderful resource for our school as she can bring knowledge from these areas to help build our science curriculum beyond the classroom, allowing our children to discover real world links in their learning.

Lab 13 offers many extra-curricular experiences for our children, including after school science clubs for KS1 and 2 as well as our very popular ‘Family Lab’ science club for all the family running each week. Lab 13 also offers regular exciting events and trips for families.

Not only is Lab 13 a unique place for children to learn, it is also run by a committee of children who apply and are interviewed for the position! This role is highly sought after in school as it gives the children a real sense of responsibility and pride. The Committee look after the lab, share experiments on the playground with other children and are often out and about in the community on science-related outings.

Lab13 application process