New funding has become available for schools across the country, including Merseyside, to help them create space for sport activities and PE lessons.
The funding scheme, Primary Spaces, will see an investment of £18 million of National Lottery money to help improve school PE, sport and activity facilities in primary schools across the country.
A recent consultation with around 3,000 primary schools by Sport England revealed that many have very little or no outside space available for sport.
A maximum of 600 schools will receive funding up to £30,000 to spend on a variety of specially created packages which can be tailored to meet their needs.
Will Parker, Head of School Sport at Sport England, told JMU Journalism: “This funding is for schools with the greatest need. We will be making a maximum of 600 awards and we would hope that any school that meets the eligibility criteria and feels they have a great need for this fund would apply. So far there has been a large and positive response from primary schools following this fund going live on Monday, 24th February.”
The fund aims to help provide outdoor, multi-sport areas which can be used both within the curriculum and out of school hours. As well as this, staff and volunteers at the school will receive information on how best to use the new facilities and equipment to help children get active.
Mr Parker said: “This funding is especially important in helping schools with the greatest need make significant improvements to their outdoor space and therefore maximise the impact of the Government’s investment direct to primary schools through the Primary PE and Sport Premium.”
Access to the fund will be through application only, and only some will be successful. Special criteria will need to be met by the schools, includes that a “school must be able to show it has little or no outdoor space which can currently be used for PE and sports sessions, but there is capacity for improvement” and that a “school needs to demonstrate a commitment to PE and sport”.
The closing date for applications is 24th March.