Funding for schools to open sport facilities out-of-hours to support healthy lifestyles

Schools in London are being encouraged to apply for a new London Sport fund which will support them to open or re-open their school facilities outside of school hours for local young people.

London Sport is distributing grants of up to £10,000 to schools in areas of high deprivation and with high obesity levels to support more of the capital's children to discover and maintain an active lifestyle.

Funding is open to all London schools but secondary state schools in Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, Barking and Dagenham, Islington, Southwark, Haringey and Enfield will be prioritised.

London Sport will then work with schools, as well as local providers and National Governing Bodies, to improve access to a high-quality and varied physical activity offer which meets pupils’ needs.

The funding is part of London Sport’s ongoing commitment to give all young Londoners the best opportunity to form a physical activity habit for life.

Project Manager, Molly Adkin, said:

“This is a brilliant opportunity for London schools to gain support and funding to help them get more use from their current facilities. If your school wants to create more activity opportunities for young people and communities who really need it, then this is the fund for you.

“The first phase of schools found that it was a great way to kick-start a new project which drives sustainable income that benefits the whole school. 

"Those that were part of the pilot project also found that their school now sits at the heart of their local community, with pupils and their families regularly accessing the site after hours."

During the pilot phase, Riddlesdown Collegiate in Croydon use funding to begin online classes during the second national lockdown. Pupil surveys to learn more about their preferred activities with yoga and HIIT sessions being created specifically for the girls who are less active.

London Sport funding contributed to external coaches and allowed the school to trial activities that were not previously provided in the local community.

Similarly, Capital City Academy in Brent, create a youth forum prior to a test event after receiving London Sport funding during the pilot phase. To date, the school has purchased equipment, covid-safe equipment and purchased new signage to support an increased use of their sports facilities.

Paul Langan, the Riddlesdown Director of Sport said: 

“London Sport funding has allowed Riddlesdown to connect with new sporting clubs that have expanded our extra-curricular programme and enhanced the use of our facilities. It’s still early days but the impact has been positive and we look forward to developing this further.”

Jacqui McDonnell, the Capital City Academy Director of Sport, added: 

“This funding has given us a chance to start to open up our facilities again for the community whilst helping local people feel safe.”

To apply for funding, click here. For more information about the criteria for applications and guidance on how to apply, click here.