Play areas could be improved at a secondary school to bring them up to an "appropriate" standard.
St John Houghton Catholic School, in Kirk Hallam, has applied to Erewash Borough Council for permission to extend the existing tennis and netball courts at its site in Abbot Road.
In a statement to the council, it said there was an "under-provision" of such areas.
A decision is likely to be made in the next few weeks.