On This Day: 29 February 2016 - Cutting-Edge R.V. Jones Science Building Opens

Did you know that Winston Churchill once described one of our Alleyn’s science heroes as having done “more to save us from disaster than many who are glittering with trinkets”? 

Science is one of the cornerstones of an Alleyn’s education – where curiosity is nurtured, pupils are challenged, and learning drives a passion for an understanding of the world around us. Many Alleyn’s students go on to further science or science-related learning and careers and we have a notable list of scientific, medical and biomedical alumni. 

On this day eight years ago, (29 February 2016), the spaces where this passion for science is ignited were transformed when Alleyn’s celebrated the opening of the R.V. Jones Science Building; after a complete refurbishment of the original 1961 building with state-of-the-art laboratories, a cloud chamber and a rooftop observatory, The Chris Marvin Observatory, in honour of Chris Marvin who taught Physics at Alleyn’s from 1973-1987. 

The observatory offers pupils a unique view and understanding of the cosmos. And the cloud chamber allows the effects of individual electrons and alpha particles to be seen. These two innovative facilitates were generously funded by Nick Jarmany (Roper’s 1980).  

The building was formally opened by The Rt Hon Professor the Lord Kakkar (Roper’s 1982) who celebrated the brilliant alumnus that the building is named in honour of - Reginald Victor Jones (Dutton’s 1929), or R.V. Jones. 

Lord Kakkar gave a speech about the scientist’s life and achievements, including how he shone at Alleyn’s after joining in 1922 on a London Junior Country Scholarship and later achieved a first-class degree in Natural Science (Physics) at Wadham College, Oxford. 

He also talked about how R.V. Jones went on to become a war hero and was dubbed by Winston Churchill as:

“the man who broke the bloody beam”.

R.V. Jones helped to decode and combat German radio beams used in bombing raids during World War II. He subsequently went on to jam enemy radio and submarine signals and designed the ‘Window System’ to fool hostile radar. He was credited by Churchill as one of the most significant contributors to allied victory over Nazi Germany.  

More about the life and achievements of R.V. Jones can be found in the Summer 2021 edition of the Edward Alleyn Club Magazine.

Since opening in 2016, the refurbishments to the Science building have been transformative to learning both inside the classroom and out, with clubs and societies covering everything from astronomy to molecular gastronomy. 

The formal opening also brought with it the introduction of the annual R.V. Jones Science Lecture series at Alleyn’s, which see an eminent scientist take an audience of pupils from Alleyn’s and our local partner schools, as well as parents and the wider community, on a fascinating journey of scientific discovery. 

Past speakers have included Nobel Laureate and alumnus Professor Sir Michael Houghton (Tyson’s 1968), Dr Helen Czerski and Professors Robert Winston and Brian Cox, among many other successful scientists with remarkable knowledge to share.  

This year we’re fortunate to be welcoming Dr Jess Wade, a Royal Society University Research Fellow and Lecturer in Functional Materials at Imperial College London. Find out more here.

In June 2022, thanks to a generous donation from Professor EA (Peter) Robinson (Tulley's 1951), further enhancements were made to one of the Alleyn’s science laboratories, specifically with the aim to benefit not only current Alleyn’s pupils but also the wider community through partnerships and a Primary Outreach Programme. The Professor EA (Peter) Robinson and Colonel John Robinson Outreach Laboratory features a ‘pod’ system, sliding doors and flexible seating and is named after the twin brothers.  

Making further and wider use of our facilities, Alleyn’s launched the Alleyn’s Science Academy in January this year, with weekly science sessions for Year 12s from Alleyn’s and surrounding state schools. The sessions foster collaborative working and develop confidence, knowledge and a passion for Science.  

These Year 12 students also have the chance to engage in authentic scientific research through The Gold CREST Science program, enabling them to take part in an undergraduate-level science project.  

These opportunities are thanks in no small part to generous donors who provided the foundations from which pupils can develop a lifelong love of Science. We are incredibly grateful to them for giving back in this way.

Thumbnail image shows R.V. Jones with Jeannie Rousseau.