STEPHEN Hawking, Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton will take centre stage when a Mid Devon school’s new £2million science block opens next month.

Pictures and short biographies of the pioneering greats will feature outside every room of the plush facility, under construction at Uffculme School since last Easter.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at the school on April 26 to officially open the building, made possible thanks to a £2m grant from the Department of Education.

The naturally-lit, airy facility incorporates a host of green energy technologies throughout its seven teaching laboratories, preparation rooms and staff facilities, including PV solar panels, ground source heating and rainwater harvesting.

Students have been involved in naming the laboratories after famous scientists from Albert Einstein to Marie Curie and each room will feature a board outside with an image of the scientist and their work, together with a short biography.

Head teacher Lorraine Heath said: “We are really excited about it.

“The pupils really hated the old science block and now they can see this one taking shape, everyone is asking when they can start going in.

“It is also exciting for the teachers who are going to be able to work with some fantastic new facilities.

“The rooms in the old block were just completely inadequate. It was in a poor condition, too small, too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter, just really grim. We are very lucky we have been able to have an architect-designed building with some creative spaces and lots of sustainable energy.”

The old science block is going to be converted into a new art teaching facility with studio space and a cafe – the management of which will be overseen by a board of budding entrepreneurs selected from year ten pupils.

Contractors will start on site as soon as the new science facility is completed and will aim to be finished in time for the new academic year in September.