Special School Opens Multi-Million Pound Sports Hall

A specialist Staffordshire secondary school catering for teenagers with special needs has cut the ribbon on a brand-new multi-use sports hall.

Fountains High School in Stretton has now opened its new fully accessible, state-of-the-art £2.5million multi-use hall allowing students with a wide range of disabilities to enjoy sports such as wheelchair basketball in a dedicated space for the first time.

The sports hall and adjoining Multi Use Games Area is the first facility of its kind for the school – the largest secondary run by Esteem Multi-Academy Trust.

It has been named the Helen Almey Sports Centre in memory of a former PE teacher at the school who died in 2020.

On hand to cut the ribbon opening the new facility was executive head teacher Gareth Allen and East Staffordshire Mayor Cllr Kim Smith.

The new 34.5 metre by 20 metre hall, paid for by Esteem, has been kitted out with cutting edge features designed for full accessibility including a sprung floor that is strong enough to withstand wheelchairs, a perforated acoustic liner on the ceiling to minimise noise disruption and fully accessible flush doorways.

The opening ceremony included a performance by the school’s signing choir (pictured above) and catering was provided by Coffee Bean, an enterprise café at the school manned by students.

“We are absolutely delighted with our new sports hall,” said Executive head teacher Gareth Allen.

“It’s a huge boost to our school and will be very much enjoyed by all our students who now have a dedicated indoor space for sport for the first time. It’s a lasting tribute to Helen, our former colleague, and a way of remembering her too.”

Fountains High School has around 250 pupils, all of whom have an Education, Health and Care Plan and a diagnosed learning disability. The school provides tailored support for students aged 11-18 with a range of additional needs.

To find out more visit https://www.fountains-high.staffs.sch.uk/