Originally built by the Heathcoat family to educate the children of their workers, Old Heathcoat School now serves the local area as a community centre. The original land was conveyed by Ian Heathcoat-Amory in 1912 and the school was built for £5,000 over the next two years. It served the area as a school until 1994 when it was deemed surplus to requirements. Unused and with an uncertain future, the building was saved from demolition in 1996 by the formation of a steering group, comprising local groups and organisations. The centre opened to the public in 1997.
Since 1997, the centre has attracted many and diverse user groups who use the unique venue for activities ranging from Tai-Chi to bridge club and from arts to counselling. At this time, over 40 different groups were using the hall, competing for space and resources in the popular facility.
After the removal of an old, portable classroom on the grounds in 2010, the Board of Trustees proposed a project to expand the building to accommodate the ever-increasing number of groups and to also expand the facilities available for use.
The plan included an extension that was fully accessible, included a stage, dance mirrors and a climbing wall and was as environmentally-friendly as possible. This ambitious project required ambitious fund-raising and so the Trust approached Valencia Communities Fund having already secured substantial funds from the community.
In 2011, Valencia Communities Fund awarded a significant sum that saw the Trust able to complete the extension, despite several set-backs. The new extension formally opened on 2 December 2012.
