School Sports Facilities: Maximising Community Use

School sports facilities play a vital role in physical activity across the UK and Ireland. With government targets aiming to ensure that quality sports facilities are within a 20-minute travel distance, schools are increasingly being encouraged to open their facilities for community use.

It’s no surprise that schools are such a key resource in this effort. According to figures from Sport England, schools operate or own over a third (39%) of all available sports facilities. Notably, 77% of sports halls and 61% of artificial grass pitches are located on school grounds, including those at third-level education institutions. This trend is consistent across the UK and Ireland; for instance, in Northern Ireland, 55% of sports halls, 35% of grass pitches, and 29% of synthetic turf facilities are based at schools.

What’s Available at School Sports Facilities?

School facilities provide a wide range of opportunities for local and community sports clubs, and making these facilities accessible to the public is increasingly important. In the current economic environment, schools can benefit significantly from the additional income generated by opening their doors to community groups.

Some of the key sports facilities that can be offered to local groups include:

Sports Halls: Ideal for indoor sports such as basketball, badminton, and volleyball.
Grass Pitches: Suitable for football, rugby, cricket, GAA, and more.
Tennis Courts: Perfect for recreational and competitive play.
3G and Synthetic Pitches: These versatile surfaces cater to a wide range of sports and are popular with community groups.

Why Should Schools Open Their Facilities to the Public?

Opening school sports facilities to local communities offers a range of benefits. While research shows that 80% of schools are open to the idea of community use, many are unsure how to implement this. The advantages to schools are clear:

Increased Community Engagement: Wider community use of school premises can improve local perceptions of the school and create opportunities for greater involvement from parents and community members.
Access to Additional Funding: Schools can attract funding from government initiatives and sports bodies when their facilities contribute to key health and community development goals.
Sustainable Financial Benefits: A community-focused approach can lead to a steady revenue stream, which helps schools maintain and enhance their sports facilities.
Partnership Opportunities: By collaborating with local councils, sports governing bodies, and other organisations, schools can gain access to improved resources and support.

Typically, school facilities are used during school hours (9 am to 4 pm), but they often remain underutilised during peak leisure times. Opening up school sports facilities during evenings and weekends can address this gap and meet the growing demand for sports spaces.

The Challenges Schools Face

While schools have the potential to benefit from community use, there are challenges involved. The key issue is ensuring that these facilities are accessible to the public while maintaining adequate staffing and security during off-school hours. Schools must also consider how to manage bookings, payments, and maintenance for non-school users.

To address these challenges, it is crucial for schools to implement a robust and efficient booking system that allows community groups to easily access facilities without burdening school staff.

How Pitchbooking Can Help

Pitchbooking is a comprehensive online solution designed to simplify the process of managing sports facility bookings. With Pitchbooking, both schools and community groups can enjoy a seamless experience, with bookings and payments handled automatically.

Pitchbooking provides the following benefits for schools:

Efficient Facility Management: Schools can easily manage bookings, making it simpler for community groups to access sports facilities.
Reduced Administrative Burden: Automation of bookings, payments, and scheduling reduces the administrative workload for school staff.
Customised Solutions: Pitchbooking offers a range of tools and configurations that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each school, whether it’s a small primary school or a large secondary school.
Proven Experience: With extensive experience working with schools, local governments, and community groups, Pitchbooking has developed a tested solution that helps schools increase facility usage and generate income.

If your school is considering offering sports facilities for community use, Pitchbooking can provide the support you need to ensure a smooth and profitable process. For more information on how Pitchbooking can streamline your school’s sports facility management, check out our School Sports Facilities Solutions.

FAQs

What types of sports facilities can schools offer to the public?

Schools can offer a wide range of facilities, including sports halls, grass pitches, tennis courts, and 3G or synthetic pitches.

How can schools benefit financially from opening their facilities to the public?

Schools can generate revenue by renting out sports facilities during off-school hours, such as evenings and weekends, which can help with maintenance and other school expenses.

Is Pitchbooking only for large schools or can smaller schools benefit as well?

Pitchbooking is designed to cater to schools of all sizes. Our flexible system allows us to tailor the solution to fit the specific needs of your school, whether large or small.

For more tips on increasing revenue from sports facilities and managing bookings, visit our Pitchbooking blog.

By making your school’s sports facilities available to local and community groups, you can create a more vibrant community while benefiting financially. With Pitchbooking, the process is simple and efficient, helping schools maximise the use of their facilities while minimising administrative burdens.