Local Schools take part in "Top of the Bench" run by Francis Holland School

Four local state schools take part in "Top of the Bench" run by Francis Holland School. "Top of the Bench" operates around Britain and the Head of Chemistry from Francis Holland School, who left the school in 2020, used to run the Middlesex and Chilterns competition. The aim of the event is to encourage able young chemists and to support them with practical science in an engaging way. This year's event was hosted at St Benedict's in Ealing and the four state schools were: Westminster City School, Ellen Wilkinson's School for Girls, Queen Elizabeth's School in Barnet and The Latymer School in Edmonton.

The Royal Society of Chemistry has been running "Top of the Bench" for some years. Teacher time and facilities from another independent school (St Benedict's) are used on the day. Young chemists from Francis Holland took part alongside their state school counterparts. The project is run for A level pupils.