MORE THAN JUST A SCHOOL Aylesbury Grammar School provides a unique environment of support and opportunity that inspires and enables our students to flourish and thrive with all aspects of society, both academically and pastorally.
Sport at AGS is an essential part of our learning through
Academic
Values
participation and has an exceptionally high priority.
Learning
Learning
The impact of Covid 19 pandemic has been significant and has brought into sharp focus exactly why regular physical activity and participation is so important for mental and physical health and wellbeing. Participation Learning
A SPORTING EVOLUTION Limited space, outdated equipment and offsite facilities mean that we are falling behind in our sporting provision in comparison to more modern and newer schools. We are one of the only schools in Buckinghamshire who do not have an all weather pitch facility. We are simply not meeting our students, and local community needs. Every student throughout the School from Year 7 to Year 13 takes part in sport and physical activity through the curriculum, extra-curricular activities and well-structured House sport events. Students are nurtured and encouraged by specialist teachers, who are experts in all areas of sport and physical activity, and allow them to flourish and participate without prejudice. We must tackle the very real challenges faced in terms of inadequate, offsite and outdated state School facilities.
We must provide inspiring facilities that motivate and encourage participation at all levels, bringing our growing community together.
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SPORT AT AGS The need... to build a modern facility that encourages participation in physical activity
to address the increasing health and wellbeing concerns of our students
to address potential health and safety concerns regarding off-site facilities
to increase provision to ease pressure on timetabling restrictions
to unlock the flexibility of provision and increase student activity
to provide an accessible community use amenity for local clubs
to encourage reluctant students to engage in physical activity and try new things
to create a modern, all weather, facility that inspires our community to become more active
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SPORT AT AGS The impact... increase student participation and activity
provide an inspiring School and community use facility that we can all be proud of
add to the extensive benefits of participation learning
designed to reduce barriers to participation and ensure increased accessibility for all
address current health and safety concerns
provide a new generation, state of the art 3G pitch fit for the School to host junior home fixtures on site
replace often waterlogged pitches that causes lost learning time
reduce off-site sporting activity
create positive experiences and support character development
CHALLENGES AHEAD Annual operating costs are funded through central government, our allocation amounts to just over £5,000 (Year 7-11). Significantly less for a Sixth Form student. A reduction in Sixth Form funding has had a huge impact. In real terms, funding has been cut. Our income is only just sufficient to meet our annual basic operating costs. There is limited scope for additional funding from the Department for Education. We severely resources to invest in our infrastructure and buildings. Capital improvements must come from outside resources (grants or individual gifts). Project will not be possible without the support and goodwill of our direct and wider community. A culture of giving is evolving throughout the School, although this fluctuates significantly depending on the economic climate and the cohort. Through philanthropic sources we have been able to refurbish our Maths department, IT Rooms, the refurbishment of Art, DT and Engineering, and more recently the relocation and refurbishment of Student Support. Capital projects, funded by various sources, including generous donations from the wider AGS community, have included a new Science Centre, Library, Squash Club, School Entrance and Sixth Form Centre.
CREATING SPACES THAT INSPIRE PITCH PITCH ININ aims to encourage participation at all levels, motivate and bring our growing community together. By building a new generation, state of the art, community use, all weather facility, the School aims to get more people, more active,
Estimated cost... £1,000,000
more often.
Completion date... September 2025 Financed by... Donations
VISION FOR SPORT PHASE 2 PHASE 3 PHASE 1 P
GR LAY
OUN
D
WA
L
R TON
OA
D
ARTIST’S IMPRESSION
C O M M I T T E D T O I N N O V A T IO N All weather surface...
grass fibre granulated
3G stands for a Third Generation synthetic surface which
rubber sand
consists of three elements; synthetic turf, sand infill and
shock
rubber infill.
absorbing pad
These pitches are used for playing multiple sports including football and rugby. They are an important community resource that mean more people can benefit from the social and health benefits of physical activity.
sub base
The all weather surface allows for free draining and activity can take place in any weather. The soft foam underlay is also designed to reduce the risk of injury to players by absorbing impact.
drainage formation
These surfaces offer consistent performance and safety in all conditions.
layer
A FUTURE WE DEFINE PHASE 1
PHASE 2
PHASE 3
Aylesbury Cricket Club Partnership
Conversion of the Old Caretaker’s
Create a new all weather, 3G pitch
secured for the 2024 Season.
bungalow into a dedicated PE
on the current School field.
Design, plan and gain all
classroom and office.
permissions for an all weather, 3G
To be financed through the
pitch on the current School field.
Aylesburian Annual Fund.
Planning permission granted in May 2023 and expires May 2026.
To be available for community use.
COMPLETION DATE
COMPLETION DATE
COMPLETION DATE
COMPLETED
SEPTEMBER 2024
SEPTEMBER 2025
FLOURISH IN ALL YOU DO This is the culmination of three years of detailed preparation (planning approval has taken nearly two years).
The initial quote received for the Arena is competitive and good value for money, considers the prevailing economic climate, sustainability, and future proofing. For due diligence we are in the process of cross quoting with two other suppliers.
We have an established project team, with impressive levels of professional experience in delivering refurbishment and build projects in schools. We are in the process of creating a Capital Campaign, including a launch via the first ever state school Giving Day, to encourage our community to support and match fund a lead benefactor.
FLOURISH IN ALL YOU DO PHASE 4 Phase 3 is not a development in isolation, it is part of a longer-term vision to create an exceptional sporting provision for the Aylesbury community.
Achieved so far... Pitch In Campaign ‘quiet phase’ Allows the School to develop a strategic pathway to explore investments, apply to trusts and foundations for grants, establish a Campaign Board, seek advice and expertise from those within our community opening doors and channels of communication to maximise the School’s opportunity in securing our fundraising goal.
Pitch In Giving Day (Launch Platform) - March 20th & 21st 2024 Pitch In via Information Events - from April - July 2024 Pitch In Prospect and Follow Up Meetings - ongoing Golf Day - 30th May 2024 Question of Sport – 20th September 2024 Wrap up Celebration Event – 14th March 2025
FLOURISH IN ALL YOU DO
A long way to go... There is still a very long way to go in reaching our goal of securing £1,000,000 in pledges to begin building works. There are a number of connotations of the Scale of Giving enabling donors to see the impact of their gifts. Donations can be ‘one-off’ gifts or pledged over a 24 month period and are broken down into Key and Community gifts. For Major Benefactor gifts there will be a range of naming opportunities offered in line with the School’s current Naming Policy.
WE’RE ASKING OUR COMMUNITY TO PITCH IN... PITCH ININ aims to encourage participation at all levels, motivate and PITCH bring our growing community together. By building a new generation, state of the art, community use, all weather facility, the School aims to get more people, more active, more often. Donations will have a significant impact on our students lives and our wider community. Please help us to reach our goal.
For further information, please contact: Alison Cox, Development Director acox@ags.bucks.sch.uk
Scan to Donate!
WE’RE ASKING YOU TO PITCH IN... by Joining the Campaign Board. Online meeting for an hour every two weeks. Twice a term in person. Attend Information Events. Follow up with Year Group and Prospects (in person). Volunteer. to spread with word, call prospects, and ask them to give. Training provided! Giving to the Campaign. Consider donating to the Campaign (as an early benefactor) before Campaign launch in March. Please complete the form in front of you before you leave this morning.
THANK YOU! IDEAS AND THOUGHTS