‘All that you can't leave behind’

Abstract

The importance of secondary science education to the professional lives of six Fellows of The Royal Society is discussed in the context of Clifton College, an independent school in Bristol, UK, with a powerful tradition of science teaching. The relative importance of the effects of the curriculum, rigorous practical science classes, and classical education are considered. The effect of inspirational teaching by practising scientists is considered to be a significant factor in preparing these students for their professional lives at Cambridge University and beyond.