Space for Sport and the Arts (SSA) was a lottery-funded initiative aimed at improving sport and art facilities in primary schools in areas of social and economic need, for dual school and community use.

This research formed part of the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the SSA programme which aimed to; secure a better balance of sport and arts provision for children in areas of the country where provision is poor, deliver improved sport and arts by helping schools develop new buildings, or refurbish existing buildings and, to create environments that might contribute to increasing public access to sport and arts facilities.

Key Findings:

• Facilities had a positive impact on the provision for sports and the arts in schools with widespread optimism for the future development of these spaces
• The research highlighted issues to consider for future schemes, for example, the potential for tension to arise from the need to address both school and local community requirements

Client: Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Education, Sport England, Arts Council England and the Big Lottery Fund