The opportunity schools can’t afford to miss
Schools across the UK are looking for new ways to strengthen wellbeing, behaviour, and student engagement. A modern, inclusive gym can make a significant difference – but budget pressures often delay progress.
The good news is that meaningful funding is available. The key is understanding which routes apply to your school and how to plan a project that aligns with their goals.
Why design matters just as much as funding
A well-designed gym goes far beyond equipment. It supports confidence, progression, accessibility, and participation for every student.
The Active Futures approach is built around four principles proven to improve outcomes:
- A motivating training environment
- Clear progression at all ability levels
- Community and connection
- Training diversity across strength, cardio, and functional training
When design is purposeful, the impact extends across the whole school day.
Current funding options for school gym projects (2025–26)
1. Sport England – Movement Fund
The Movement Fund offers £300 to £15,000 for projects that help people be active, including equipment purchases and facility improvements.1 This fund is ongoing with no fixed deadlines, and schools are eligible to apply, especially where facilities support community use or target inclusivity.
Key focus areas: physical activity, inclusion, community benefit.
Why it helps schools: contributes to equipment costs, small refurbishments, or community-access projects.
2. National Lottery “Awards for All”
Awards for All England provides £300 to £20,000 for projects that strengthen communities and support physical activity.2 Schools can use this funding to upgrade equipment or run activity-based programmes that support wider community wellbeing.
Key focus areas: activity, community cohesion, wellbeing.
Why it helps schools: ideal for topping up budgets or funding specific project elements.
3. Trust and Local Authority Capital Funding
The Department for Education confirmed new capital allocations for 2025–26 to support improvement across school estates.3 Many multi-academy trusts and local authorities allocate part of these budgets for fitness suites or facility upgrades – especially where projects align with wellbeing, behaviour, and inclusion outcomes.
Why it helps schools: a strong route for substantial refurbishment or complete gym installations.
Note: schools must present a clear, well-costed proposal.
4. Community-access and shared-use funding routes
While not a single national programme, schools that open their facilities to the wider community often unlock additional support. This may include:
- Local authority community facility budgets
- Sport England initiatives prioritising community access4
- Partnerships with local sports or wellbeing organisations
Why it helps schools: strengthens funding applications by demonstrating wider community benefit.
5. Leasing and flexible finance options
When budgets are tight or funding is not immediately available, leasing provides a practical alternative. Gym Gear offers direct finance and rental solutions – with no third-party lenders – helping schools spread the cost of equipment, flooring, installation, and maintenance over manageable terms.
Why it helps schools: enables projects to proceed without upfront capital.
Making your funding work harder
Whichever route schools choose, the strongest projects:
- Set clear goals and intended outcomes
- Make efficient use of space
- Improve accessibility
- Support long-term usage and durability
- Demonstrate student or community benefit
Our School Gym Funding Guide (download here) includes a step-by-step planning checklist to help schools prepare strong, structured proposals with clarity.
From idea to installation
With funding secured, the right design partner ensures your plan becomes a high-impact, safe, and inclusive space. Gym Gear provides:
- Consultation and site assessment
- 3D visualisation and layout planning
- Equipment recommendations aligned to goals
- Full installation and ongoing service support
Schools like Dean Trust Ardwick and Sedbergh School have used this design-led approach to create modern, engaging spaces that build confidence and participation.
Future-proofing school fitness
A well-designed and well-funded school gym is an investment that pays back for years – improving wellbeing, supporting behaviour, and building confidence across the whole student community.
Download the School Gym Funding Guide
Speak to our education design team about your project
References
1 Sport England (2025). Movement Fund – Grants for physical activity projects.
https://www.sportengland.org/funding-and-campaigns/our-funding/movement-fund
2 The National Lottery Community Fund (2025). Awards for All England – £300 to £20,000.
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/funding-programmes/national-lottery-awards-for-all-england
3 Department for Education (2025). School Capital Funding: Guidance and Allocations.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-capital-funding
4 Sport England (2025). Use Our School – Opening facilities for community activity.
https://www.sportengland.org/funding-and-campaigns/use-our-school