Northstowe Learning Community, operated by Meridian Trust, is delighted to announce a new partnership with P&E Sports to manage its sports facilities and make them accessible to the local community during evenings and weekends.
The partnership with P&E Sports represents a significant step in embedding these outstanding facilities into the heart of the Northstowe community. With a shared commitment to community engagement, P&E Sports will work alongside local organisations, charities, and groups to deliver a broad programme of activities focused not only on sport but also on health, wellbeing, and social inclusion.
Public access to the facilities is expected to begin on 1st October 2025. During the school day, Northstowe Learning Community students will continue to benefit from the full use of the facilities for PE lessons and extracurricular activities. In the evenings and on weekends, students will be signposted to additional community activities held at the site.
David Phelan, Managing Director of P&E Sports said: “We are thrilled to be managing these brand-new, high-quality sports and leisure facilities, which include a four-court sports hall, activity and dance studios, a state-of-the-art gym, a full-sized floodlit 3G football pitch, a sand-dressed AstroTurf suitable for hockey and other sports, grass playing fields, and outdoor netball/tennis courts.
“Our mission is to provide inclusive opportunities for everyone, from gym classes and sports for over-50s to holiday camps, birthday parties, community events and bespoke social value programmes. This is more than just a leisure operation; it’s about building something meaningful and creating a lasting legacy for this pioneering new town.”
Several community groups already use the facilities, and P&E Sports will support their transition into the new schedule. The partnership ensures regular access for the wider public, with key areas like the gym open daily, including during daytime hours, evenings, and weekends. Larger facilities such as the sports hall and 3G pitch will primarily be available outside of school hours.
Dave Phelan added: “We’re committed to working together with local organisations to ensure they can access the facilities regularly. Our goal is to build lasting partnerships that reflect the needs and interests of the community, helping to grow participation and enhance local services. While operational details and pricing structures are still being finalised, we are determined to keep access affordable and inclusive by offering pay-as-you-go options, regular bookings and memberships.”
Founded in 2019, P&E Sports has established a strong presence across 12 schools and sports centres, delivering high-quality facilities and programmes to local communities. Their offerings range from fully equipped gyms and multi-use sports halls to cutting-edge 3G pitches, supporting a wide variety of sports and fitness activities.
This collaboration follows a major milestone in the development of Northstowe Learning Community earlier this year, with the completion of Phase Two of the site’s development. This expansion included a 600-pupil increase in capacity at Northstowe Secondary College and the launch of a new 400-place Sixth Form provision.
Claire Mills, Principal of Northstowe Learning Community, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for both our students and the wider Northstowe community to benefit from these purpose-built amenities. These facilities reflect Meridian Trust’s values of providing a high-quality learning environment where young people are equipped with the tools they need to succeed. We’re proud to share them with the community, and this partnership ensures they will remain accessible to all.”
The partnership will also bring new local employment opportunities in areas such as operations, fitness, customer service, and cleaning. P&E Sports intends to recruit primarily from the Northstowe area, further investing in the local economy.
Bookings will be managed through an online portal overseen by P&E Sports, where users can reserve gym sessions, classes, and facility hire. The portal will go live closer to the launch date.
To learn more about P&E Sports and future booking details, please visit: www.pandesports.com, or to explore the Northstowe Learning Community website, visit: https://northstowe.education/
