Matthew Arnold school to build world class pitch

The school have been raising money for three years, and are now only a short step away from reaching their £550,000 goal.

Roland Davey, assistant head at the school, said: "This is a much needed training facility for Spelthorne and it will be used by so many children and groups, boys and girls. Obviously it is good for Matthew Arnold school but also for the surrounding areas as well. It is world class."

When finished in September next year, the ground will be open to the public for 40 hours a week for coaching, training, and football and rugby matches between schools and clubs.

The 3G pitch is made of a synthetic surface which replicates grass.

Mr Davey said it will add to Matthew Arnold's current sport's facilities and bring in revenue, but although the pitch is due to be started in April next year, the school are appealing to companies to sponsor them so they can reach their £550,000 goal.

Mr Davey said: "I have been working on this for about three years and it has taken so long because objections from the Environment Agency and English Heritage meant we had to change it a lot. "

Due to an ancient relic under the school grounds, and residents' concerns over the flood lights, the site of the pitch had to be moved, and the school are not allowed to raise the pitch due to flooding concerns from the Environment Agency.

Mr Davey said: "The relic is a bit of nuisance. Historically it has been classed as a Roman monument but recent research has shown it could have been made near the bronze age.

"The plans are fine now, but we have to hand dig the holdings for the flood lights, because machines could may have ruined the monument."