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Berkshire Prep School opens new fully inclusive sports centre

St Andrew’s School, a co-educational independent preparatory school in Pangbourne, Berkshire, has celebrated the opening of an £4 million, inclusive multi sports centre.

St Andrews School - Sports Centre Interior

Developed in consultation with Maidenhead based disability sports charity, SportsAble, the centre will provide much needed sporting amenities for St Andrew’s school’s 300 students, aged 3-13 years, and many local community groups.

The development, designed by Mancon Project Management and developed by Amiri Construction, boasts a large sports hall fully marked to  accommodate a range of sports, a 25 metre accessible four-lane swimming pool, wet and dry changing areas, a group exercise and dance studio, four channel climbing wall and viewing galleries overlooking the pool and sports hall which includes a kitchen area. All areas offer full disability access with a dedicated toilet and washroom area.

St Andrews School - Sports Centre Exterior

Speaking about the development, Mr Jon Bartlett, Headmaster of St Andrew’s School, comments:

“Ensuring full accessibility was core to this development. We were very keen not to just tick a box with regards to our legal requirement in this area. Our ambition was to create an environment that could truly be enjoyed by all children, whatever their ability. Sport has so much to offer all children and access should be available to enable them all to get involved. We engaged with SportsAble because the charity is delivering disability sport on a daily basis. Their expertise and hands-on experience is second to none and this incredible facility we have created is all the more impressive as a result of the charity’s involvement.” 

The facilities will be available to all students at St Andrew’s, playing an integral role in the education programme. The centre will also welcome other community organisations, especially those representing children and other people in vulnerable situations who share St Andrew’s educational values and a commitment to encouraging an active lifestyle.

 Mr Bartlett continues:

“Previously, the only indoor sports facility the school offered was an old, multi-use hall which limited the range of activities we could offer. Creating this new, indoor sports hub means we can offer a more diverse range of sports to engage and appeal to a much wider range of motivations and abilities. In addition, we can now also offer a more extensive after school and holiday programme, supporting parents who have a need for their children to be occupied and active beyond the hours of the standard school day and term.” 

Speaking about the development, Kerl Haslam, CEO at SportsAble, says:

“It is really refreshing to work with an organisation that truly wants to provide an inclusive experience. Our journey with St Andrew’s began at the project planning stage back in 2016 when we were invited to consult on the accessibility aspect of the development. We now very much look forward to an ongoing relationship with the school as its official disability sports partner, providing advice on the delivery of inclusive sport. We also look forward to extending our sports development programme through the utilisation of the fantastic new facilities both to our current members and to other disability groups in the community.”

The St Andrew’s Sports Centre was officially opened on June 11 by Lizzy Yarnold OBE, Double Olympic Champion in the women’s skeleton.

Find out more about St Andrew’s School. 

To find out more about SportsAble visit the website. To talk to one of the SportsAble team about disability sports provision and accessibility call 01628 627 690.