Opening School Facilities (OSF) Fund

The OSF programme aimed to reduce inequalities and get children and young people (aged 5-16) more active and moving more.

Funded by the Department for Education, Opening School Facilities (OSF) aimed to meet the goals of the government’s School Sport and Activity Action Plan (SSAAP).

The funding supported schools to open-up their facilities, including swimming pools, by partnering up with local sporting, youth and community organisations to improve physical activity levels and participation in their area.

The programme ensured that all children, young people and the wider community could access inclusive, fun, safe and needs-led, co-designed extra-curricular activities outside of curriculum time – particularly in communities that experienced the most significant health, social and economic inequalities.

OSF impact

We distributed £2,620,860.36 worth of funding and supported 87 schools across the North East, targeting those areas and schools that needed it most.

Read our impact report for the full story.

What a difference it [OSF funding] has made this year! We have been able to expand and develop our after-school provision across forest schools, football and gymnastics.

Next steps 

We’re continuing to support schools to sustain and build on the progress made through the OSF programme. We’re helping schools explore ways or promoting physical activity, so that children, young people, and local communities can continue to benefit. By sharing learning from the programme and promoting the positive impact on physical and mental wellbeing, we’re supporting schools to embed long-term, inclusive opportunities for young people to be active beyond the school day. 

We will continue this support through: 

• Our LEAP programme, which provides schools with a tailored visit and detailed report, offering practical, achievable recommendations to increase physical activity across the entire school day. 
• Step Outdoors, a programme that delivers fun, engaging outdoor learning sessions for early years children and their families, helping to build confidence, movement skills, and a love for being active in nature. 
• Ongoing training opportunities and annual conferences, designed to inspire and equip school staff and community partners with the tools and ideas they need to strengthen their physical activity and active learning offer. 

Youth Sport Trust has a toolkit to support schools in unlocking the potential of their facilities, making them available for community use and driving positive change.

Find out about our other children and young people work.