A PIONEERING school will help spread its museum learning principles after securing funding for a new partnership.

The Langley Academy has teamed up with the River and Rowing Museum to encourage museums to work more closely with secondary and primary schools.

The new partnership has been set up thanks to a £138,600 grant from Arts Council England.

It will be used to set up teacher and museum champions to align museum programmes with school curriculums across the region.

Rhodri Bryant, principal at The Langley Academy, said: “We are extremely excited. We aim to continue to embed museum learning into the culture of the academy, developing on what we have achieved so far.

“This funding allows us to build on values at the heart of The Langley Academy, working with more museum professionals and schools to demonstrate how working together can widen children’s horizons and challenge their aspirations.” Ten museum professionals will work with primary and secondary school teachers to develop learning partnerships and exhibitions targeted at pupils. There will also be 20 teachers working with museums to advocate museum-learning within schools, which will be able to use resources and collections from the River and Rowing Museum.

Three research projects will also be launched to explore curriculum changes and new technologies to support partnerships.

Helen Cook, head of learning at River and Rowing Museum, said: “Being supported by Arts Council England highlights the proven benefits of practical learning in museums and we are delighted to be building on our relationship with The Langley Academy. Museum collections can provide students with an unique opportunity to learn about their heritage in a hands-on way.” The museum, in Henley-on-Thames, is ranked in the Top 50 Museums in the world by The Times newspaper.

Hedley Swain, area director for the South East at Arts Council England, added: “This project has great potential to inform the museum sector’s approach to education, sharing best practice regionally and nationally.” For more on the River and Rowing Museum visit rrm.co.uk