2025 (Joint) PE WINNER: Richard Hale School, Hertford

Fitness suite equipment (strength, cardio and flooring) plus a complete indoor Athletics “Sportshall” kit

What they’re buying & what it does

Strength & conditioning upgrade – Bison fractional plates (0.5–2.5 kg) for precise load-progression, a 10 kg junior Olympic bar to teach safe technique, colour-coded power/resistance bands for mobility and assistance work, a soft-shell 3-in-1 plyo box for low-impact jump training, and a sleeve-protected battle rope for whole-body HIIT.
Cardio & control – A Concept2 BikeErg with PM5 monitor plus a HIIT Commercial Cardio Combo (rower & ski-trainer) deliver data-rich, low-impact conditioning, while a programmable CrossFit Interval Wall Timer keeps sessions sharp and inclusive.
Safe training space – 30 mm EPDM rubber tiles protect students, kit and sub-floor without adhesives and are UV-stable for years of daily use.
Sportshall Athletics kit – Sportshall Decathlon set, Reversaboards, Shot Circle, lane-marking equipment and 3 kg Med-Ball Challenge PAK create a portable indoor arena for running, jumping and throwing events.

Identified gaps in provision

Teachers report that KS3 pupils “cannot yet access the fitness suite” and winter athletics stops when the weather changes. Traditional equipment also excludes novices who “feel apprehensive about high-pressure competitive sports.” The current flooring and ageing cardio kit limit capacity and safety.

How the project lifts learning for all

Whole-school reach – New fractional plates, junior bars and resistance bands mean younger or less-confident pupils can train alongside GCSE classes, while Sixth-Form Sports Leaders will use the kit to mentor KS3 groups.
Inclusive competition – sports hall equipment brings track-and-field indoors, letting every Year 7 class — and visiting primary cohorts — practise agility, power and coordination without the intimidation of an outdoor stadium.
Leadership pipeline – Students plan, staff and score Sports hall events, reinforcing communication and organisational skills highlighted in the bid as a proven pathway into PE teaching and coaching careers.
Community links – The school will open facilities to feeder schools and St Albans City Youth FC holiday programmes, widening impact beyond the roll.

Value for money & longevity

Rubber flooring carries a 50 k-hour rating and needs no specialist fitting; fractional plates, bands and plyo boxes are virtually maintenance-free; Concept2 hardware is renowned for decades-long service; and the modular Sportshall kit can be re-configured for primary, KS3 or full competitions, future-proofing provision while keeping renewal costs low. Students, staff and community partners all benefit, maximising usage across the year and cementing a culture of active, inclusive PE.