A donation from the founder of an international horse racing and breeding operation will fund a new library for a Newmarket secondary school.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who founded Godolphin, has gifted the money to Newmarket Academy and a planning application was filed at the start of the month.
The school has spoken of their delight over the donation, saying it will make a “significant contribution” to every student.
Nick Froy, academy headteacher, said: “We are incredibly humbled and grateful to receive such a generous gift from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed.
“We believe that a joy of reading is the gateway to academic success and therefore career opportunities for the young people of this community.
“Sheikh Mohammed’s continued and considerable contribution to this school will make a significant difference to the lives of every student who attends our Academy.
“This library project allows us to put literacy at the very heart of the school.”
The proposed extension will house the school’s collection of books at a first floor level, connected to the existing library space via a terraced seating and staircase.
Separate teaching, study and reading areas will also be created in the project.
Mr Froy admitted the school’s current library was limited in terms of space.
“Although we have worked hard to make the space engaging and stimulating, the size and scale of the current provision is very limiting,” he added.
The donation comes two years after the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project was formed.
The programme uses the assets and networks of the racing community to provide structured education across all year groups.
The five-year partnership also includes guidance on pathways to employment within racing and associated industries in Newmarket.
In 2017, the joint programme was highlighted by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall when she visited the school and in the Ofsted report last July when the Academy received a ‘Good’ rating from the education watchdog.
Forest Heath District Council is expected to make a decision on the planning application in June.
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