A primary school in Newcastle Upon Tyne is proof that sport and the arts can thrive side-by-side, thanks to an imaginative design. This had to overcome considerable site restraints in order to produce a good balance of high quality facilities at this inner city school.

A new hall built between two Victorian buildings at the Chillingham Road Primary School has been constructed with a curved wall at one end allowing an attractive space for performance while still meeting the design requirements for organised sport.

Sport England invested £500,000 towards total project costs of £936,202 under the Space for Sport and Arts programme. This aims to enhance the opportunities for children and local communities to participate in sport and arts activities.  The £134m programme has funded almost 300 new or modernised facilities for sport and arts at primary schools situated in deprived areas all over the country. Administered by Sport England, it is part Lottery and part Government funded and is backed by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, Department of Education and Skills, Arts Council England, and the Big Lottery Fund, as well as Sport England.

Judith Rasmussen, Director of Sport England North East, said: “We are delighted that our investment through Space for Sport and Arts has helped provide these new facilities. It has not only boosted the opportunities for pupils of the school to access high quality sports and arts activities but has also helped create an activity hub for the whole community.”

The new building provides extra space for sport and arts activities, as well as an office and storage. There is also is a community entrance in addition to a new school entrance, helping to avoid any issues around child protection. A new kitchen and servery also enables community and school use without overlapping.

As soon as it was opened, a steering group was set up to assist a number of groups who wanted to use the facility. This has become a major focus for local people and the community now has a strong sense of community activity, cohesion and involvement.

Innovative planning and targeted marketing for the Chillingham Road Sports and Arts Centre have been crucial to the success of the project. This highlights the fact that activities and facilities are school-based but available to the community at all times.

Chillingham Road Sports and Arts Centre factfile

• A ‘sensory’ room in an area previously used for storage has been funded by sponsors and provides facilities for pupils with Special Educational Needs
• Two development workers funded through the programme, plus two ‘primary link’ teachers have been critical to the success of the project by increasing school and community activities and outreach work.
• The school, which is working with a number of partners and initiatives, has received Activemark and Artsmark recognition for excellence in its sports and arts activities
• The City Council, Northern Rock Foundation, Hadrian Trust, Newcastle Diocesan Society, Children’s Foundation, Community Foundation and Healthworks all helped fund the project, alongside the SSA funding
• A large amount of inward investment has been attracted to assist the development of activities and purchase of new equipment.