Space for Sport and Arts is an innovative partnership between DCMS, DfES, New Opportunities Fund, Sport England and The Arts Council of England, which is investing £130m and generated over £20 million in partnership funding to create 300 sport and arts facilities in primary schools that are based in deprived parts of the country. The new facilities will be used to encourage schools to establish links with their local communities.

The scheme was launched as part of the Government's strategy for sport 'A Sporting Future for All' which aims to get more people from all ages and all social groups taking part in sport. The funding was made available following an OfSTED report which showed that 14 per cent of primary schools have poor physical education facilities and 12 per cent did not even have a space large enough for dance and movement. Central Government and three lottery distributors, Sport England, The Arts Council of England and New Opportunities Fund jointly funded the Space for Sport and Arts scheme to address this issue. Acknowledging that PE and sport have an important role in helping to raise standards, improving behaviour and attendance and tackling disaffection.

65 LEA's situated in deprived areas were invited to apply for funding on behalf of their primary schools. Each school could be apply for up to £500,000 to modernise or build new sport and arts facilities. Each school had to submit, via its LEA, an application to develop modern sport and arts facilities for both school and community use. The money could be used in a variety of ways but to qualify for the fund the schemes will provide new sports halls, improve buildings, outdoor facilities such as multi-use games/play areas and upgrading of equipment, such as lighting or ancillary areas such as dance studios or changing rooms.

Aims of Space for Sport and Arts

Space for Sport and Arts Schools

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