A separate infant and a junior school in Wolverhampton now operate as one thanks to a grant through the Space for Sport and Arts programme.

The two schools were physically linked under the project which provided a common entrance and a new two-court sports hall and changing rooms that the schools share. The facilities act as a reception area for pupils and members of the community, as well as boosting the opportunities for sport and arts opportunities.

The changes have had positive knock on effects throughout the school, with a considerable improvement in morale as well as in the teaching and learning of pupils at school, which has some challenging pupils.

An investment of  £500,000 was made through the Space for Sport and Arts programme towards the £1million facilities development. An additional £100,000 investment supported the development of various projects and activities at the site over a three-year period.  

Space for Sport and Arts is a £134m programme which 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 aims to enhance the opportunities for children to participate in sport and arts activities. 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.

Since the opening of the facility, strong partnerships have been formed within the community. After school clubs have been a great success and have been well attended by pupils at The Grove and other linked schools. The local ASAN partnership, who has Lottery-funded sports facilities, is also working closely with The Grove School to further develop the school’s sporting opportunities.

With the help of the partnership, a girl from the local community will take her basketball coaching qualification and, if she is successful, she will be employed to run an after-school basketball club.

Such has been the progress that after a recent visit one of Her Majesty’s School Inspectors described the facilities as the best ever seen at a primary school. David Knight said Wolverhampton had definitely got its act together as far as the Space for Sport and Art programme was concerned.

“All six schools involved now meet on a regular basis to share experiences and ideas,” he said. “A sports development officer has recently been appointed and he will be based at The Grove. This will further the opportunities offered by the six schools and a sports club is being developed which will be accessible to all pupils from all of them. The Space for Sport and Arts revenue funding will be the key in the further development of community use of the facilities.”

The Grove School factfile

• One of Her Majesty’s School Inspectors described the facilities as the best he had ever seen.
• The School received an Artsmark award in 2000 followed by an Artsmark Gold in 2005 for excellence in its arts activities
• 2005 saw the development of a summer school activity programme, including coaching in various sports
• Table tennis and karate are two of the most popular sports at The Grove, with a range of other activities offered