After hours school sports facilities could address physical inactivity

A significant proportion of London’s sports facilities are located on school sites, with 40 % of sports halls, 32 % of playing fields and 22 % of swimming pools situated behind school gates. Despite this, community access remains limited, with only 42 per cent of schools in London making their sports facilities available outside school hours.

At the same time, London is facing a growing public health challenge linked to physical inactivity. More than half (53 per cent) of children and young people in the capital are not meeting recommended daily activity levels, with lower participation among girls, those from less affluent families and some ethnic minority groups. A lack of affordable and accessible facilities as a key barrier to participation, particularly for youth and community groups, with many reporting difficulties finding suitable spaces to be active.

Krupesh Hirani AM, in conjunction with the London Assembly Health Committee has today launched the report – Enabling community use of school sports facilities in London – setting out steps to improve access, increase activity levels and reduce health inequalities across the capital.

Opening school sports facilities outside school hours could provide a wide range of benefits. Evidence gathered by the Committee shows this can improve physical and mental health, help young people build social skills and provide constructive activities that may reduce the risk of involvement in crime.  

The report also highlights significant barriers to progress, including high hire costs, limited awareness of available facilities and the condition of some school sports infrastructure. It also finds that the end of the Government’s Opening School Facilities programme has made it harder for schools to sustain community access without ongoing funding.

Key recommendations in the report include:

• The Government should provide sustained funding to help schools open their sports facilities for community use over the long term.

• The Mayor should reinstate funding for schools through programmes such as Go! London, with flexibility to cover both capital improvements and running costs.

• The GLA should improve information on available facilities, including pricing and booking details, to help community groups find and access spaces more easily.

• Boroughs should develop partnerships between schools and community groups to expand access and share best practice.

Krupesh Hirani AM, Rapporteur for the London Assembly Health Committee said:

“Too many of London’s sports facilities sit behind locked school gates, while young people and communities struggle to find affordable places to be active. We heard clearly that access to local, trusted spaces like schools can be transformative, can improve overall health, build confidence and create safer opportunities for young people.

“Without sustained funding and better coordination, these opportunities will remain out of reach for many. Opening up school sports facilities after hours is the most practical and cost-effective way to tackle inactivity and reduce health inequalities across London.

“The Mayor, Boroughs and Government must now work together to ensure these spaces are accessible, affordable and widely used by the communities they serve.”