The protection of school playing fields
Guidance relating to the protection of school playing fields and land for academies has been updated to reflect changes introduced with effect from 25 May 2007 by the Education and Inspections Act 2006.
The Guidance describes the main circumstances in which local authorities, governing bodies, foundation bodies and trustees need to seek the consent of the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families to dispose, or change the use, of school playing fields.
The main body of the Guidance comprises six Parts:
- Part I: Strategic Overview — this Part has been updated to reflect the fact that the Department no longer requires Asset Management Plans.
- Part II: Executive Summary — includes a new paragraph explaining that the Department will monitor progress on approved applications.
- Part III: The Legal Framework — sets out the relevant legislative provisions.
- Part IV: The Secretary of State's Criteria — describes in detail the criteria against which applications to dispose, or change the use, of school playing fields will be considered.
- Part V: General Consents — sets out the circumstances in which the specific prior consent of the Secretary of State may not be required. A change has also been made to the effect that the relevant body will decide for themselves whether a general consent applies and then notify the Department. Details of this are in Mukund Patel's letter of July 2007.
- Part VI: Applying for Consent — describes the procedure for making and processing an application.
Presumption against the need for change
Potential applicants should remember that the Secretary of State has a
general presumption against the need to change the current pattern of school
playing field provision by disposal or change of use.
Other sources of funding
The Secretary of State expects applicants to have first investigated
and exhausted all other possible sources of funding before considering the sale
of school playing fields.
Briefly, applications are considered against three main criteria:
- that playing field provision and curriculum requirements at the school making the disposal, and at other local schools, are met
- that community use of a school's playing fields is taken into account
- that any sale proceeds are re-invested:
- firstly, to provide new or improved outdoor sports facilities;
- secondly, to provide new or improved indoor sports facilities; or
- thirdly, to be used to help raise standards by providing educational facilities.
Copies of the guidance may be obtained from the School Assets Team, DCSF, Room 11, Lower Ground Floor, Mowden Hall, Staindrop Road, Darlington, Co. Durham, DL3 9BG. Telephone 01325 392136.
Protection of School Playing Fields, July 2007, full Guidance can be downloaded by clicking here.
The letter from Mukund Patel, DCSF, of July 2007 can be downloaded here.
The application form for use by a local authority (SATPF1) can be downloaded by clicking here. Notes on completing the form SATPF1 may be downloaded here.
The application form for use by the governing body of a foundation school, a
foundation body or trustees (SATFVS1), can be downloaded here. Notes on completing the form SATFVS1 can be
downloaded here. A new combined application form
will be introduced shortly.
