June 14, 2026
Thomas Telford School delivers new refreshed fitness facility with Technogym solutions
Delivering a private-school standard of education to the state sector, with sport and academic excellence at its heart in partnership with Technogym.
Thomas Telford School is renowned for its focus on sport, with fitness embedded into the curriculum alongside the external success of the school’s many elite athletes. The fitness centre was built more than 20 years ago to support wellbeing, academia, and elite sport success, and has been equipped by Technogym for at least 15 years.
Director of Fitness Jacob Wedderburn explains how a continued partnership with Technogym has transformed the space into an elite training and learning environment that appeals to students from Year 7 to sixth form.
“The school has always aimed to give every child access to a private-school standard of education, and fitness facilities play a huge role in that,” said Jacob. “The refurbished space needed to reflect modern sport science and integrate technology in a way that supports learning to inspire all students, not just our elite athletes.”
Director of Fitness Jacob Wedderburn explains how a continued partnership with Technogym has transformed the space into an elite training and learning environment that appeals to students from Year 7 to sixth form.
“The school has always aimed to give every child access to a private-school standard of education, and fitness facilities play a huge role in that,” said Jacob. “The refurbished space needed to reflect modern sport science and integrate technology in a way that supports learning to inspire all students, not just our elite athletes.”
A reimagined space to support learning and performance
The goal was to create a versatile environment that could host 75 students across lessons, assessments, sports training, and extracurricular sessions that embed early habits of physical and mental wellbeing.
The upgraded equipment needed to be intuitive, safe and easily adaptable to cater for year 7 students to sixth formers and staff. The addition of Technogym digital solutions introduced data tracking and new methods of encouraging engagement across the student body.
“We needed a partner that could support elite performance and curriculum delivery, and match the high standards we hold ourselves to,” said Jacob. “Technogym’s reputation is undeniable in elite sport and higher education, and the quality and durability of the equipment, and the way they integrate digital solutions, is miles ahead.”
The upgraded equipment needed to be intuitive, safe and easily adaptable to cater for year 7 students to sixth formers and staff. The addition of Technogym digital solutions introduced data tracking and new methods of encouraging engagement across the student body.
“We needed a partner that could support elite performance and curriculum delivery, and match the high standards we hold ourselves to,” said Jacob. “Technogym’s reputation is undeniable in elite sport and higher education, and the quality and durability of the equipment, and the way they integrate digital solutions, is miles ahead.”
Attendance Increase
+42%
Weekly Users
450
A measurable impact on participation
With the support of Technogym, the school redesigned the fitness centre to introduce zoning, maximise space efficiency, and incorporate a functional training area. The updated gym now includes advanced assessments through AI-driven Technogym Checkup, Selection strength equipment, Technogym Bench for functional exercises, Excite Line cardio, and Technogym Group Cycle.
For Thomas Telford’s many elite performers - including GB athletics competitors and professional footballers - the top-quality training environment means student athletes can balance studies and sport without needing to leave school for specialist facilities, improving time management, academic focus and engagement.
Before the refurbishment, attendance at the after-school optional “session 3” averaged 31 students per night throughout the year. Since the gym reopened in September 2025, that figure has risen to an average of 44 per session. The uplift in “session 3” attendance reflects a meaningful increase in students who had previously been less engaged with sport.
The school has introduced a dedicated sixth form open gym session on Wednesdays, and the gym now supports at least 16 fitness lessons per week, meaning around 450 students use the space weekly as part of their curriculum.
For Thomas Telford’s many elite performers - including GB athletics competitors and professional footballers - the top-quality training environment means student athletes can balance studies and sport without needing to leave school for specialist facilities, improving time management, academic focus and engagement.
Before the refurbishment, attendance at the after-school optional “session 3” averaged 31 students per night throughout the year. Since the gym reopened in September 2025, that figure has risen to an average of 44 per session. The uplift in “session 3” attendance reflects a meaningful increase in students who had previously been less engaged with sport.
The school has introduced a dedicated sixth form open gym session on Wednesdays, and the gym now supports at least 16 fitness lessons per week, meaning around 450 students use the space weekly as part of their curriculum.
Digital innovation integrated into the curriculum
Technogym digital integration has been just as transformative as the physical refurbishment. The introduction of Technogym Checkup, used by sixth form students, means a more holistic approach to assessment beyond body-focused numbers, and gives students broad data to analyse, study, and retest.
“Technogym Checkup has completely changed how we approach fitness testing,” said Jacob. “Instead of generic assessments, students can see a holistic picture of their wellness, set goals and track progress in a meaningful way. It links directly into our academic courses and makes learning far more engaging.”
Solutions like Technogym Skillrow and Group Cycle bring real-time performance data into lessons, so students can compete, collaborate and analyse their own metrics.
The Technogym Visio display allows students to access quality guided and unsupervised content in yoga, pilates, meditation and functional training without staff input, effectively acting as a new team member, and Jacob is confident that the content is accurate, safe, and best-in-class.
For staff, the Technogym digital platform has simplified booking, communication, and scheduling, making it even easier for them to access this enviable on-site employee wellness benefit. And the Governors and board members who signed off on the investment have been able to see first-hand their return on investment, by visiting the gym and viewing usage numbers via Mywellness CRM.
“Technogym Checkup has completely changed how we approach fitness testing,” said Jacob. “Instead of generic assessments, students can see a holistic picture of their wellness, set goals and track progress in a meaningful way. It links directly into our academic courses and makes learning far more engaging.”
Solutions like Technogym Skillrow and Group Cycle bring real-time performance data into lessons, so students can compete, collaborate and analyse their own metrics.
The Technogym Visio display allows students to access quality guided and unsupervised content in yoga, pilates, meditation and functional training without staff input, effectively acting as a new team member, and Jacob is confident that the content is accurate, safe, and best-in-class.
For staff, the Technogym digital platform has simplified booking, communication, and scheduling, making it even easier for them to access this enviable on-site employee wellness benefit. And the Governors and board members who signed off on the investment have been able to see first-hand their return on investment, by visiting the gym and viewing usage numbers via Mywellness CRM.
A blueprint for the future of school fitness
Since reopening, Thomas Telford’s refurbished fitness centre has delivered benefits across the school community. Participation among non-elite students has increased, activity drop-off rates have decreased, and staff have access to a high-quality training space during the school day.
Thomas Telford School is currently unique in operating this level of integrated fitness and digital ecosystem in the state sector. By combining elite-level facilities with academic integration and broad student engagement, it has created a blueprint for modern school fitness.
The leadership team sees plenty of untapped potential in the ecosystem, from inter-school competitions using virtual data to deeper curriculum integration of digital performance tracking.
Thomas Telford School is currently unique in operating this level of integrated fitness and digital ecosystem in the state sector. By combining elite-level facilities with academic integration and broad student engagement, it has created a blueprint for modern school fitness.
The leadership team sees plenty of untapped potential in the ecosystem, from inter-school competitions using virtual data to deeper curriculum integration of digital performance tracking.
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