Grantlea Downs School senior science students are a class ahead of their time.

The group of 12 year 7 and 8 students are already taking lessons at high school in classes that started this term.

Mountainview High School has made a laboratory and a teacher available for the students each Monday afternoon to learn all things science in the setting of a high school.

Grantlea Downs School principal Dave Hawkey said the school had recognised there were students interested in learning more about science, and approached the high school about using its facilities.

Fortunately, there was an hour-long period free and a spare teacher available on Monday afternoons.

Students were selected by staff to take part.

"They were very keen," Mr Hawkey said.

He said primary schools were somewhat restricted in teaching science. "We haven't got the special science labs.

"I thought there might be some way around it."

Classes have included forensic science and yesterday, they were experimenting with the boiling temperature of water.

The students were enjoying the "hands on" aspect.

- © Fairfax NZ News