New Rickstones Academy in Witham has been enhancing the local community by offering an enhanced extracurricular sports programme for its students, thanks to the support of Opening Schools Facilities (OSF) funding. This initiative has brought a variety of new and exciting physical activities to the school, including football, dance, netball, exercise movement, Chinese martial arts, and basketball. With the purchase of new equipment and newly developed partnerships with local sports clubs, the quality of these sessions has significantly improved, creating a stronger sense of community engagement and wellbeing.
The OSF funded activities are designed to be inclusive, welcoming children and young people from various backgrounds, including all-girls sessions, support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and provisions for students from BAME backgrounds or those eligible for free school meals. The emphasis on inclusivity ensures that every child, regardless of their background, has access to these activities at no extra cost, encouraging them to explore new interests and stay active in diverse ways.
The OSF funding has opened new doors for community groups that had not used New Rickstones Academy’s facilities before. With enhanced equipment, advertising, and hardship funds, the school has seen a staggering 4,890 community users attend the newly introduced sessions since the initiative began. This partnership with local groups has seen a strong sense of mutual support, as Ben Moore, Community Lettings Manager at New Rickstones Academy, notes: “Our local groups who deliver the sessions are hugely appreciative of the opportunity to be part of this grant fund and the impact it has had on their end users.”
The success of this project has taught New Rickstones Academy valuable lessons about the needs and values of the community groups they work with. The focus moving forward is to maintain the momentum that has been created, ensuring that the activities remain sustainable and continue to offer a diverse range of sports for all. As Ben Moore reflects, the school aims to keep sport “an accessible and inviting activity for all,” which aligns perfectly with the school’s ethos.
The positive impact of the project is echoed by participants like Tracey Howard from Allstar Majorettes, who shared: “The funding allowed us to purchase much-needed equipment without having to ask families who are already struggling. It’s been great, and we are truly grateful.”
New Rickstones Academy is a shining example of how targeted funding can have a transformative impact on a community, offering children and young people the opportunity to engage in physical activity, build relationships, and enhance their well-being. With continued support from Active Essex and local partners in the area, the future looks bright for New Rickstones.
