Thinking Fitness and Thinking Lettings

What if your school facilities could do more?

At Thinking Solutions for Education, everything we do supports senior leaders to deliver for their young people. We know schools are under constant pressure to do more with less; finding practical ways to make resources go further and reduce operational pressures.

Through Thinking Fitness and Thinking Lettings, we’re helping schools make the most of their facilities, whilst generating income and creating more connected communities.

The Challenge:

Like many multi-academy trusts, Thinking Schools Academy Trust wanted to find a balance between several priorities:

• Making better use of school facilities outside learning and teaching hours.

• Supporting the wellbeing of staff, students and their communities.

• Generating sustainable income to reinvest back into schools.

The question was simple: how could school spaces work better for their communities, whilst supporting the trust’s mission to transform life chances?

The Solution:

Thinking Solutions for Education worked closely with colleagues across the trust to create a joined-up approach.

Thinking Fitness transformed school spaces into welcoming gyms for staff, students and residents. Managed by experienced, friendly teams, these facilities provide opportunities for people to stay active and prioritise their wellbeing.

At the same time, Thinking Lettings opened school facilities to community groups, local organisations and sports clubs. From sports halls to meeting rooms, schools could serve their communities better while generating additional income.

The work done by our Thinking Fitness and Thinking Lettings teams didn’t stop here, as career opportunities were provided to existing students so they could kickstart their career as we live and breathe our ambitions to support students all the way through education, through to career.

In Thinking Schools Academy Trust’s South West region, 54% of the workforce within Fitness and Lettings are alumni from trust schools, while 46% of staff are former sixth-form students from across their regions.

This not only demonstrates the strength in talent across their trust but also the eagerness from them to support their very own schools.

This is the work of Thinking Solutions for Education in action; doing the right thing, in the right way, and at the right cost.

The Impact:

• Five bespoke, community gyms and over 100+ letting spaces serving over 250k users annually.

• Career opportunities for their students who are keen to explore the fitness industry.

• A track record of sustainable income generated from spaces being used by local groups.

The impact isn’t just shown in data and numbers, it’s proven daily with numerous individuals and groups benefiting from our spaces. Senior leaders haven’t seen an increase to their workload but instead can share it with experts in their sector so they can focus on delivering for students.

Nick Forward, Head of Business Development at Thinking Schools Academy Trust, recognises the strength of the work which has taken place in recent years, and how Thinking Solutions for Education has made a real difference for senior leaders.

“School leaders have never been under more pressure without having to manage gyms and facility bookings on top of their existing workload. By taking those responsibilities off their shoulders, we’ve enabled schools to generate extra income, strengthen the communities they serve and make better use of their spaces.

“This work delivered by experts in their fields works for everyone, but most importantly for young people who benefit directly from investment back into their schools”.

Ready to transform your school spaces?

Thinking Fitness and Thinking Lettings help schools and multi-academy trusts generate sustainable income, strengthen community engagement and reduce operational pressures.

Let’s discuss how we can help your facilities give more back to your school; info@thinkingsolutionsforeducation.co.uk