The premises, which will be refurbished, will be able to be used by its London schools and academies, a number of which already participate in both indoor and outdoor rowing. 

Announcing the purchase, Sir Jon Coles, Chief Executive of United Learning said:

“The purchase and development of these facilities will support a sport which is growing in popularity and demand but which is still unavailable for too many schools.  We already have the largest girls’ rowing programme in the UK at Surbiton High School and this will primarily be an excellent home for its outstanding rowing provision. We also have a growing number of our other schools and academies across London offering rowing to their students. We are very keen to develop this further over the next few years so that our students can enjoy both the competitive and health benefits rowing offers through accessing these facilities”.