New protection for school playing fields
School playing fields will get greater protection against sale and development under new rules announced by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA).
The sale of a playing fields will become “an absolute last resort” with local authorities required to demonstrate that they have exhausted all other sources of funding.
Any proceeds from the sale must be used to improve other outdoor facilities, with local authorities being required to provide “first class” outdoor facilities before introducing new indoor facilities.
Any new facilities built will also have to be sustainable and accessible for pupils for the next ten years.
The new guidelines build on the 1998 School Standards and Framework Act which required all sell-offs to be approved by the Education Secretary and compelled schools to retain a minimum requirement of land for team games.
To the dismay of sporting bodies, many school playing fields were sold off in the 1980s and early 1990s, often to developers, to fund other projects.
The Government stress that since the 1998 legislation the sale of fields has declined dramatically, with only 17 applications being made last year, eight of which were rejected.
Friday’s announcement is the latest strand in the Government’s policy to encourage sport, in particularly competitive sport, in schools.
Education Secretary Charles Clarke said: “This means that school playing fields will now not only be protected but also improved for the benefit of pupils and the wider community. It should also challenge the misconception that school playing fields have been sold off indiscriminately.
“We are committed to encouraging the highest quality sport and PE in schools. Over £1billion has been invested since 1997 to develop school sport, and we are opening 400 specialist sports colleges and school sport partnerships to nurture the athletes of tomorrow.”
The director of the NPFA, Elsa Davies, who has often clashed with the Government, said: “On my last day in post, it warms my heart enormously to know that in future school playing fields will only be lost in the most extreme circumstances and even when this happens, the income will be used to improve outdoor play and sports facilities.
“The Education Secretary’s bold move in strengthening his guidance on school playing fields disposals is a testament to his sincere commitment to protecting playing fields for pupils and local communities. Such sincerity is exceptional and I leave the NPFA mightily heartened that the Government is serious about protecting school playing fields.”
