Cefn Hengoed Community School and Leisure Centre

School holidays can be a real pressure point for some families. Children from low-income households are less likely to have access to organised out-of-school activities. They are more likely to experience ‘unhealthy holidays’ in terms of their physical wellbeing as well as social isolation, which inevitably has a negative impact on their mental wellbeing.

39% of all sporting facilities are behind the school gates and many of these cease to operate at the end of the school day/term.  If more schools were to open up their facilities at reasonably priced hire costs, this could give these families an alternative, affordable option for keeping active and therefore help to boost the welfare of communities as well as promote a more cohesive society.

Recently, a new state-of-the-art indoor sports barn has opened at Cefn Hengoed Community School and Leisure Centre.  CopriSystems designed and built the facility and, even with over 35 years’ experience in sports facility construction, this project, by their own admission, “has been particularly exciting for us, not just because of the complex brief that has pushed our propensity to innovate and create or the enormity of the structure, but because of what it can offer.”

Multi-sport facilities that can accommodate a wide range of activities can  enhance a school’s physical education programme but also raise the school’s profile and presence in the local community by becoming a beacon for healthy living.  In addition, these school facilities can encourage the growth of grassroots sport by providing a comfortable environment in which to train throughout the year, regardless of thw weather.

Carl Bale, headteacher at Cefn Hengoed Community School said; "The new facilities have been transformational for the staff and pupils…with a measurable impact on the health and wellbeing of our learners."

Robert Francis Davies from Swansea Council adds; "I'm hugely impressed with what has been created at Cefn Hengoed. It is going to be a game changer for pupils, grassroots sports clubs and the wider community."

With many barriers both visible and invisible to sport and fitness, school sports facilities are safe, inclusive spaces for everyone.

Schools that willingly opening their doors to the community demonstrate their commitment to active living and understanding of the role they play in shaping society, which helps to enhance their reputation. 

There are of course also the financial benefits.  This model of operation can provide a vital new income stream for schools that enables them to invest further in updating and improving other areas of school life.  In turn, this will ensure they continue to attract the best teaching staff and remain competitive when it comes to attracting students.

It really does pay to invest in school sports facilities.