Alec Reed Academy Launches Outdoor Learning Centre
£1million investment enabled by the founder's legacy
Facilities at the new outside learning centre. Picture: Alec Reed Academy
July 9, 2026
Alec Reed Academy in Northolt has officially opened a transformative new outdoor learning centre, marking a £1 million philanthropic investment from the late education pioneer Sir Alec Reed. The development, unveiled on Thursday 9 July, celebrates Sir Alec ’s lifelong commitment to expanding opportunity for young people and strengthening the role of education in shaping future generations.
The new facility—designed as a dynamic outdoor classroom rather than simply a green space—will give students hands-on experiences that build environmental awareness, support wellbeing and develop practical life skills. It also aims to foster a deeper connection with nature at a time when schools across the UK face growing challenges around children’s mental health, sustainability education and access to outdoor learning.
Principal and CEO Phil Cosby said the project embodies the academy’s educational values and Sir Alec’s enduring vision. “Everyone at the academy is absolutely delighted to see this transformational outdoor learning centre come to life, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Sir Alec Reed, ” he said. “This investment further strengthens the exceptional facilities available to our students and reinforces the vital role education plays in shaping future generations. ”
Mr Cosby added that the centre “has been designed as a dynamic outdoor learning environment where students can develop environmental awareness, enhance their wellbeing, acquire practical life skills and build a deeper connection with the natural world.” He described the project as proof of “the lasting impact that visionary philanthropy can have,” expressing gratitude for Sir Alec’s support and the legacy it will create “for our students and the wider community for many years to come.”
Sir Alec Reed —founder of the Reed Group and one of Britain ’s most influential champions of education and social mobility —passed away in December 2025. His legacy continues through the Reed Foundation and the leadership of his son, James Reed. The new learning centre reflects his belief that education should nurture curiosity, resilience and a lifelong connection to the wider world.
Planters at the new outside learning centre. Picture: Alec Reed Academy
The opening event included guided tours showing how the outdoor spaces will be integrated across the curriculum, alongside family-friendly activities such as a petting farm and rides. The academy expects the centre to benefit thousands of current and future students, creating a lasting tribute to Sir Alec’s vision and a model for how philanthropy can transform education for generations to come.
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