Cardinal Langley building project completed

Specialist sports college Cardinal Langley RC High School in Middleton has celebrated the completion of its £12m building project with an open evening to formally welcome staff, students and members of the local community to its new teaching facilities.

A key part of the school’s design brief was to create a coherent overall building with all teaching areas easily accessed from a central covered space.

At the front of the school a new two-storey glazed entrance now welcomes students and visitors through an access controlled lobby directly into the “village square” which is located right at the heart of the school.

Internally, the school has been opened up so that everything, including the main dining area, is easily accessible from the village square.

As part of the final phase of works, a complete facelift of the front of the building and landscaping has also enhanced the image and visibility of the school from Rochdale Road.

The completion of the new central heart space in October 2011 was followed by the remodelling of the school’s technology, creative and performing arts and science facilities.

Dedicated sixth form facilities have been created, alongside new learning resource and dining areas, whilst existing teaching and administration areas have all been fully refurbished.

Solar thermal panels have been fitted to enable the school to generate hot water from renewable energy, and the central atrium is naturally heated and ventilated.

Head teacher Colin Mason said: “The key ingredients to a successful and effective school are the students and staff working together to ensure that everyone achieves their full potential. At Cardinal Langley these ingredients are now enhanced through the provision of a physical environment which gives the whole school community a huge lift.

“21st century teaching spaces, dedicated study facilities and state of the art technology are features of the newly refurbished school. Internally and externally the environment has been lifted beyond recognition.

"We are all extremely grateful for the combined efforts of the local authority, the local education partnership (inspiredspaces) and Carillion in delivering a building which will serve Middleton for many years to come.”