Plans for Poole Grammar School's new sports hall

The proposed new two-storey building is located in the same position as the current gymnasium and includes a double, full height sports hall with ancillary, support and additional teaching accommodation.

Planned facilities includes a climbing wall, equipment stores, a fitness studio, three changing rooms and five upstairs classrooms.

The building entrance accommodates a spacious foyer that connects to a single corridor providing access to both the sports hall and ancillary rooms. Two staircases and a passenger lift provide vertical access to the upper floor classrooms.

According to planning documents, the proposal will:

• Provide adequate facilities to deliver the full PE curriculum

• Provide fully accessible PE facilities

• Enable the delivery of the correct level and variety of PE and sports activities

• Create greater opportunities to enhance student health and well-being

Sports England has also been consulted on the plans

The Dorset school, on Gravel Hill, was previously awarded £3.8 million to replace its life-expired 1960s gyms and facilities as part of the government’s Condition Improvement Funding (CIF).

Current and future sports hall at Poole Grammar School. Pictures: Barker

Upon being awarded the grant, headteacher Dr Amanda Smith said: “We are delighted to have been successful in this application, and excited by the prospect of being able to offer state of the art sporting facilities for our students, as well as being able to welcome people from the wider community to benefit from such a high-quality development.

“From school sports lessons, to community activities, to extracurricular enrichment opportunities, to the promotion of physical health for all, we see such opportunity for this versatile and exciting facility and we can’t wait to be able to get started.”

Subject to full approval, the new sports hall is set to open in spring 2023 ahead of the new academic year.