Sandwell’s education boss dropped into the borough’s newest school – Q3 Academy Langley – to see how pupils and staff are settling in. Councillor Simon Hackett, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, met pupils during their family-style lunch at the school in Moat Road, Oldbury. He chatted with Year 7 pupils about learning in a brand-new school and joined in a lunchtime discussion about New Year’s resolutions.
Sandwell Council has built the school in partnership with Eric Payne, who also sponsors the successful Q3 Academy in Great Barr. Councillor Hackett said: “I would like to thank all the pupils and staff at Q3 Academy Langley who gave me such a warm welcome. “This is a great example of the council working with an academy sponsor to provide much-needed school places and an inspiring place to learn.
“I was really interested to hear about the school’s approach – including an 8am start to the school day, lesson timetables tailored carefully to the age of pupils and the family-style lunch service. Most of all, it was good to see young people who are so enthusiastic and clearly care about their school community and learning. It’ll be fascinating to see how the school develops over the coming years as the building grows and more pupils join.”
Q3 Langley’s family-style lunch is a more relaxed way to serve school meals, with pupils sitting together on small tables, having food served at the table rather than queuing and helping with the service and clean-up. Pupils also have a discussion topic while having their lunch.
Head of school Peter Lee said: “It was wonderful to host a visit from Councillor Hackett, who spoke to students and staff during his first ever visit to Q3 Academy Langley.
"We look forward to welcoming him back as we progress with our Year 7 students, to meet with the school council that we're setting up and observe some lessons.”
Q3 Academy Langley is the first new school to be built in Sandwell in 10 years and it welcomed its first 153 Year 7 pupils in September 2016.
The school will eventually accommodate more than 1,500 pupils. Building of the second phase of the school is expected to start in late 2017.
