AN Ilkley primary school has had a major boost after it was successful in gaining £27,500 to develop new outdoor sports facilities.

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School in Valley Drive, a voluntary academy, has been given the funding as part of Sport England’s £18 million National Lottery funded Primary School Facilities Fund which is helping more schools to provide outdoor multi-activity play areas across the country.

The investment is designed to support those schools which are in greatest need of facility improvements and will benefit pupils at the school during and after school hours.

At Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School the new investment has provided a multi-use games area and 100 metre meander trail.

Mrs Moira Hogan, deputy headteacher, said: “The new facilities have transformed the range of games available, especially during playtimes. Sports leaders and teachers have been able to offer volleyball, handball, basketball and badminton on a regular basis. The children really love the opportunity to try out new games and develop new skills.”

Nick Bitel, Sport England Chair, said: “Having the right space to play sport and be physically active as a child is vitally important. We are delighted to be investing this funding in Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Ilkley to improve the spaces that will give children the space to start enjoying PE and sport.”

Sebastian Coe, CH KBE, the Prime Minister’s Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Ambassador, added: “A positive first experience of PE and sport at primary school is crucial to encouraging young people to be active throughout their lives, but for those schools with little or no outside space this can be extremely challenging to deliver. This funding will provide better outdoor multi-activity play areas at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary, A Voluntary Academy that can be used both within the curriculum and after school hours. I am convinced this will boost the opportunities for young people to be physically active.”

This fund builds on and complements the Government’s £150 million a year Primary PE and Sport Premium.

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