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The HISTORY of REDDITCH New Town

Dual Use School Facilities

The Redditch Development
Corporation decided that
investing thousands of
pounds in school facilities
that were only used during
the weekday day times, and
empty during school
holidays, was a waste of
precious funding. They
The Leys High School, now Kingsley College, was one of argued that such facilities
the first “Dual Use” leisure facilities built in the town. should also be available for
public use at all times.

A joint circular from the Ministry of Housing Local Government and the Department of
Education and Science dated 27th August, 1964 stated:
"In assessing local needs and the resources to match them, it is appropriate to consider
how far facilities for sport and physical education already provided, or in course of
provision at schools and other educational establishments can be shared with other users,
or can be economically expanded to meet the needs. The provision of playing fields is
normally related closely to the needs of the establishments themselves, but with good
construction and maintenance some additional use even of grass pitches may be possible
without undue wear; and hard-paved or porous areas (tennis courts, running tracks, hard
pitches and jumping pits) and indoor facilities can often support use beyond the needs
of the establishments themselves. Where facilities are made available for outside use,
the need for supervision must be borne in mind. The Department of Education and Science
will shortly be issuing a revised edition of Building Bulletin No. 10 ("School playing fields
and hard-paved areas") which will contain advice on the dual use of playing field facilities.
In planning new, or replanning existing,
sports provision for educational
establishments, the needs of the
community generally, as well as of pupils
and students for both outdoor and indoor
sports facilities should be borne in mind.
Better value for money, and a wider
range, may sometimes be obtained if
combined provision can be made in an
integrated scheme. Consultation and
co-operation between the local education
authority or other body responsible for
the facilities, any other local authority
concerned and, in appropriate cases,
voluntary organisations will clearly be
essential. The Departments will ensure
that no unnecessary administrative
difficulties are put in the way of a
combined scheme.”
The sports hall at the Leys High School.

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