New £23m Langley Academy to boost Berkshire sports and jobs

The £23m Langley Academy has officially been opened by Olympic rowing legend, Sir Matthew Pinsent.

The academy, which also boasts with its own museum has created plenty of Berkshire jobs during the construction and will continue to boost the local community as well.

According to the Maidenhead Advertiser, the school will specialise in science and would like to become a centre of superiority in sports such as rowing and cricket.

The nine hectare school in Slough was built by Foster and Partners and includes a three-story building with 38 classrooms, 10 science labs, a TV and sound recording studio, a sports hall, lecture theatre and rehearsal space.

The museum houses 500 items that include a boat used by the British rowing team in the 2000 Olympic Games.

Pinsent commented at the opening: “I am delighted to be opening the Langley Academy, it is a remarkable place and I am very excited for its future.

“I am particularly pleased to see the innovative way they are teaching rowing, inspiring children of all backgrounds and abilities to get involved.”

School principal, Chris Bowler told BBC News Online: “Over the next 12 months our Museum Learning and sporting excellence programmes will expand.”

Combining a school and a museum together is a brilliant idea which not only improves knowledge but also creates additional job opportunities.