Renowned Professor, Lord Robert Winston Visits Halliford School to Deliver Presentation and Officiate Opening of New Building

Halliford School had the honour of hosting Professor Robert Winston at a memorable event last week, as we welcomed him to officially open our magnificent new Forum building. The building’s name, chosen by our students, references the original Latin term for a meeting place. It was therefore fitting to mark the occasion by bringing together our own students and welcoming others from local schools to attend a talk, and we were thrilled when Professor Winston accepted our invitation.  

As one of the leading authorities in the field of biology and reproductive science, Professor Winston gave an enlightening presentation before officiating the opening ceremony for the Forum.  

The day began with a lunch reception, which was held in the Forum, offering a delicious spread for our visitors to enjoy. We were pleased to be joined by former Headmaster Mr Crook and his wife Mary, and former members of staff, along with the Mayor of Spelthorne Cllr Med Buck, Cllr Harry Boparai, the Shepperton and Sunbury History Society, and friends of Halliford including local business owners and Lyn Derrington from the Shepperton Aurora Rotary. It was also our pleasure to welcome students and staff from Thamesmead School, Chertsey High School, Salesian School and Notre Dame School to enjoy the talk along with our own young scientists.  

Professor Winston shared his remarkable journey through academia and highlights from his distinguished career before opening the floor to student questions. The energy and passion he spoke with whilst answering profound and considered questions from all the students in attendance was an inspiration to all. The students left with a deeper appreciation of the nuances between different foci and the impact of technological development on all areas of science. 

After the lecture, we hosted the official opening ceremony, where Headmaster James Davies made a short speech and Professor Winston unveiled a commemorative plaque. Mr Davies said, ‘It was a privilege to welcome Professor Winston to Halliford School, he is a figure that many of us grew up watching on television, and that same level of inspiration and engagement was present from the moment he arrived. Despite his enormous intellect and stunning array of achievements, Professor Winston came across with enormous humility and encouraged those present not to compete but to collaborate. He also spoke about the importance of using knowledge wisely and of communicating with care, always asking the right questions. These qualities resonate strongly with our school values of intellectual curiosity and respect, and all of us left the day knowing that we had been inspired and challenged by Professor Winston in equal measure.’ 

The visit of such a distinguished academic and the unveiling of our new building created a deep sense of pride among the entire school community. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Professor Robert Winston and all our distinguished guests for joining us at this important event. Our thanks also go to Mrs Moore, Head of Futures and Exceptional Performers, who arranged the visit. Our state-of-the-art Forum now stands as a vibrant hub for students and staff, and we are proud to extend its use to the wider community, further strengthening the spirit of community and collaboration that defines Halliford School. 

We are delighted to share a time-lapse video of the build with you here: