Schools in Rutland have stepped in to see the continuation of competitive sport, after the county council decided to pull out funding. 

Uppingham Community College (UCC) has stepped in to take over the coordination of the Sport England funded Rutland School Games and a group of schools from across the county 

Rutland County Council had caused some concern earlier this academic year, when it told Rutland schools that it could no longer subsidise the county's sports programme. The authority had been funding the sports offer by about £35,000 each year, once other funding and individual school contributions had been made. 

Asked about the current situation at last week's full council meeting cabinet member for communities, Coun Christine Wise (Lib Dem) said the authority had been working together with school leaders and Active Together Leicester (funded by Sport England and hosted by Leicestershire County Council) 'to create a sustainable sports offer that all children and young people can enjoy'. 

She said: "Schools and community representatives have been reassured of the continuation of the wider wellbeing offer, the active referral and Steady Steps program and there will continue to be a school sports offer." 

She said Rutland County Council, which is currently going through a savings transformation programme, had been 'exceptional' in hosting the school games and coordinating the school sports partnership. Up until September only 11 Rutland schools had chosen to be part of the school sports partnership and Coun Wise said there had not been a formal agreement in place since 2023. 

Sports England has decided to permit UCC to take over the Rutland School Games organisation. The School Games is part of a national competitive sports programme and children compete in a number of local, national and regional tournaments and festivals across a range of sports. 

Coun Wise said other Rutland schools will ensure the continuation of wider competitive sport. 

She said: "Immediate action was taken to secure the continuation of the sports in schools programme. This is in place and the program is being delivered. 

"A working party of schools facilitated by Active Together Leicestershire is being convened to develop a sustainable and inclusive school sports offer, with work being carried out in 2025 which draws on best practice and learning from existing programmes." 

The authority had been funding the sports offer by about £35,000 each year, once other funding and school contributions had been made.