Foundation for new sporting facilities at Leighton Buzzard school

A new sports hall and outdoor facilities have recently opened which is enabling students to enjoy fantastic PE facilities including a climbing wall, dance studio, fitness room and a 4G outside multi-use games area.

The new indoor facilities also include disabled access and air conditioning.

The school caters for more than 100 students who have special needs and was judged Outstanding by Ofsted in 2015.

Despite this it had no dedicated space for teaching PE and Oak Bank students were not able to enjoy many of the sports that other local schools could provide due to the limited facilities.

Executive headteacher Peter Cohen is delighted that the school is now able to offer a full PE programme.

He said: “This addition to Oak Bank has had an enormous impact on the school and hopefully soon these facilities can be used by local residents and groups linked with disability sport in Leighton Buzzard.

“We cannot thank the Connolly Foundation enough for giving us the donation. It is a huge benefit to our school, the students and the wider community.”

The Connolly Foundation is a major charity in Bedfordshire that has given more than £5 million to local causes and organisations since its formation over 12 years ago. The Foundation awards grants in two specific areas: – Education, and Support for the frail and elderly.