Beyond the Lecture: Parents Explore the Power of Practical Science at RGSPP
PHNOM PENH, February 2026 — In a refreshing departure from the standard “Open House” format, Reigate Grammar School Phnom Penh (RGSPP) recently invited parents to trade their business attire for lab coats. The school’s Open Classroom event was designed to move beyond formal speeches, offering families a direct, hands-on experience of the rigorous and discovery-based science curriculum that defines the Reigate legacy.
The Science of Inquiry: A Parent’s Perspective
Led by the expertise of Mr. Davey, the session transformed the school’s state-of-the-art laboratory into a hub of adult learning. Parents were not merely touring the facilities; they were actively tackling the same types of complex experiments and scientific challenges that their children face in the classroom.
This “deep dive” allowed parents to experience several key pillars of the RGSPP approach:
- Critical Thinking in Action: Rather than following a set of instructions, participants had to use logic and hypothesis testing to navigate their experiments, mirroring the school’s focus on independent thought.
- The Joy of Discovery: The event captured the “aha!” moments that occur when theoretical concepts—like chemical bonding or physics principles—are proven through physical interaction.
- High-Level STEM Integration: Parents saw firsthand how the school integrates modern technology and professional-grade equipment to prepare students for international university pathways in medicine, engineering, and research.
A Community Built on Shared Passion
Beyond the lab benches, the Open Classroom served as an essential touchpoint for families to discuss the school’s vision for the future. Discussions ranged from the depth of the scholarship programs to the school’s 350-year British heritage, all while maintaining a focus on the primary goal: inspiring a lifelong passion for learning.
By involving parents in the actual process of discovery, RGSPP has strengthened the partnership between home and school, ensuring that the next generation of scientists is supported by a community that truly understands the value of a practical, inquiry-based education.