The new partnership will mean the local community can use the state-of-the-art school facilities, improving health and wellbeing across Hyndburn
[Pictured L-R: Cllr Miles Parkinson OBE, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, James Kerfoot, Headteacher at Accrington Academy, Lyndsey Sims, CEO of Hyndburn Leisure Trust]
An exciting new partnership has been formed between Accrington Academy and Hyndburn Leisure to enable more local people to be more active, more often.
From January 2022, Hyndburn Leisure will be providing Leisure Management for the sports and leisure facilities on the Accrington Academy site. This includes a six-lane swimming pool, gym, studios, sports hall, outdoor pitches, 3G Pitch, outdoor netball courts, indoor climbing wall and classrooms.
There has never been a more important time for people to take care of their physical and mental wellbeing, and leisure facilities are important community spaces which support people’s ability to lead healthy and happy lifestyles. Through this new partnership, therefore, more people and families will be able to access high-quality local leisure and sports facilities on their doorstep in Hyndburn.
Lyndsey Sims, CEO at Hyndburn Leisure Trust said:
“We really welcome the opportunity to work alongside Accrington Academy to operate their excellent leisure and sports facilities, which offer a superb, high-quality range for its students and the wider community. The Leisure Trust are keen to maximise participation levels and to work with the Academy to identify opportunities to further enhance the existing mix of facilities and services on offer.
“This will be an exciting partnership, as both partners are ambitious, value-based organisations. Accrington Academy, as part of United Learning, is committed to bringing out ‘the best in everyone’ and Hyndburn Leisure are committed to supporting Hyndburn
residents to be able to access ‘Better Places, contributing towards Better Health and resulting in people living Better Lives.”
James Kerfoot, Headteacher at Accrington Academy said:
“As Accrington Academy is very much a school at the heart of its community, we are excited to work in partnership with Hyndburn Leisure to enable more local families and residents to enjoy the facilities we have to offer here.
“Already, the state-of-the-art site here allows staff to deliver a full and broad curriculum and extracurricular programme for our students, but outside of school hours we also want to provide a high-quality service for the wider community.
“We look forward to developing our leisure and sporting offer and, through this, continuing to support healthy, active lifestyles amongst students, staff and our local Hyndburn community.”
Cllr Miles Parkinson OBE, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council said:
“This partnership is fantastic news for the residents of Hyndburn. Not only does it mean people and families will have a more diverse range of facilities available, it will safeguard the future of our leisure services.
“Organisations working together is a key part of the future for our borough. This partnership is one part of the wider leisure transformation project and will contribute to ambitions to improve health and wellbeing and outcomes for all.”
The facilities at Accrington Academy reopened to the public in June 2021, following a period of closure due to the pandemic. Over the coming months, members and customers will be contacted to notify them of transition plans and opportunities, including the option to move onto membership packages that include all Hyndburn Leisure facilities and services.
For bookings and membership enquiries the Sport & Leisure team at Accrington Academy can be reached by emailing: asl@accrington-academy.org or calling 01254 304306.