Highfield and Brookham’s Astro is complete

On Thursday 7^th May, Molly Fairbairn, England U18 Hockey player visited her old school, Highfield and Brookham, to christen their new all-weather Astro. Highfield and Brookham Schools were delighted to receive full planning permission at the end of 2018 for the pitch. The new Astro is a full-sized sand-dressed hockey pitch, built to FIH (Federation International Hockey) standards, allowing for two smaller cross field Hockey pitches as well as the full-sized pitch. The floodlights allow the schools to train and play in the evenings all year round.

The construction was completed by Smith Construction, based in Lincolnshire, and was project managed by Traction Sport, based in Dorset. The school have been impressed by the project team throughout, tackling some challenging hurdles along the way including months of wet weather and numerous planning requirements. The work started at the beginning of August 2019 and was scheduled to take around 14 weeks to complete. However, after weeks of wet weather the work had to be put on hold as the carpet became too saturated to be in-filled with sand.

Phillip Evitt, Headmaster at Highfield School said, “This is something that has been in the making for many years and it has certainly been worth the wait - a legacy for future generations. However, the irony of the project has not escaped us – the fact that the completion of an all-weather pitch had to be delayed because of the weather! And now it is finally complete we have no children in the school to use it.”

As well as children of the schools’ parents who are Key Workers, one person has been able to make use of it, Molly Fairburn, current England U18 Hockey player. Molly left Highfield and Brookham Schools in July 2016 and went on to Canford School in Wimborne. She starts playing for England next month. Highfield and Brookham is where her love for sport first started. During lockdown, following all social distancing guidelines, she has been using the Astro with her father to keep up her practise.

Molly Fairbairn, England U18 Hockey said, “Sport, particularly hockey, was a big part of my life at Highfield and Brookham and I have so many happy memories of being part of a team there. The Astro is a fantastic addition.”

The all-weather pitch can be used, not only for hockey, but for hosting a full range of sports including lacrosse, cricket, football, PE, fitness sessions and after-school clubs. The pitch will be available for local sports clubs, schools and the wider community to use. Highfield and Brookham Schools have already had interest from Haslemere Hockey Club and Liphook Football Club.

This construction is the start of the implementation of Highfield and Brookham’s Whole Estate Plan. In March 2018 they become one of the first estates to have their Whole Estate Plan endorsed by the South Downs National Park, and the first estate with a school.

To find out more about Highfield and Brookham Schools and their specialist sports provision visit highfieldandbrookham.co.uk