Supporting Active School Life With Modular Sports Pavilions

Physical activity is a crucial part of everyday schooling across the UK. But in many settings, ageing facilities and limited space can prevent pupils from getting the full benefit of PE, sport, and outdoor recreation.

Modern sports and leisure pavilions offer an opportunity to reimagine these spaces, not just as functional buildings, but as places that actively promote health, inclusion and engagement. With modular construction, schools can access high-quality, sustainable sports buildings that are designed to meet their needs quickly and with minimal disruption.

Why schools are investing in better sports facilities

The role of sport in education goes far beyond physical development. Regular physical activity is associated with improved mental health, concentration, behaviour, and attendance. According to Public Health England, students who are more physically active report higher levels of happiness and lower levels of anxiety.

Outdated pavilions, cramped changing rooms, and a lack of storage or covered outdoor space can all limit participation. In some cases, poor facilities can even discourage students, especially girls and those with additional needs, from taking part in physical activity.

How modular sports pavilions help do more with less

As schools strive to promote physical well-being, expand extracurricular opportunities, and support outdoor learning, the need for quality sports infrastructure has never been greater. Yet, for many education settings, particularly those with limited budgets or constrained sites, traditional construction methods may not be practical.

Modular pavilions offer a great solution, combining architectural flexibility with speed, sustainability, and long-term value. Rather than working around the limitations of legacy buildings, schools can commission spaces purpose-built for the modern curriculum and tailored to the needs of their students.

Flexible designs for diverse uses

One of the defining strengths of modular pavilions is their adaptability. TG Escapes designs each building to suit the specific needs of the school, whether that means traditional changing rooms, mixed-use social areas, team meeting spaces, or accessible washroom facilities.

These spaces can be configured to support a wide range of activities beyond PE, from after-school clubs and groups to community sports hire or wellbeing programmes. With well-planned access, safeguarding measures, and internal zoning, a modular sports pavilion becomes a functional, multipurpose hub for school life.

Faster, cleaner, and disruption-free

Modular construction offers a flexible and efficient alternative to traditional building methods. For schools, this means the ability to add or upgrade facilities without lengthy construction schedules, escalating costs, or term-time disruption.

The key benefits of choosing a modular sports pavilion include:

• Design flexibility: Internal layouts tailored to specific sports or dual use (such as changing and social spaces)
• Faster build times: Modular buildings have consistently faster build times, minimising disruption to the school.
• Sustainable materials and net zero as standard: We build with timber frames and panels, hitting net zero in operation as standard.

A sports pavilion for Holy Cross Preparatory School

Holy Cross Preparatory School was looking to convert a field into two all-weather sports pitches and approached our team to work on an attractive, functional sports pavilion to accompany them. We worked with S & C Slatters to deliver the project. The school was drawn to TG Escapes on the strength of our design, our fast construction method, and our on-site construction team. The new sports area helped to bring a previously underutilised space at the school into everyday use. Bursar David Leen described working with TG Escapes as "A very positive experience" in his 5* feedback.

Read the full case study here.

Shaping active, inclusive school communities

Whether it’s a changing room, a meeting space, or a place to shelter from the rain after a match, a well-designed sports pavilion can help create an environment where every student feels encouraged to take part, stay active, and enjoy being outdoors.

Modular construction makes it possible for schools to achieve these outcomes quickly, sustainably, and cost-effectively. Our bespoke design and build service delivers everything for a set upfront price.

Get in touch today for a free design consultation.