Background

The Primary PE and Sport Premium was introduced in March 2013 to improve the provision of PE in primary schools across England. Since 2013, the government have continued to allocate funding each year. The Department for Education confirmed that for the 2021/22 academic year, funding would continue at £320 million.

The funding is allocated to schools to make additional and sustainable improvements to the quality of physical education, physical activity and sport they offer.

Who can access it?

Most schools with primary-age pupils will receive the PE and sport premium including schools maintained by the local authority, academies, free schools, special schools and pupil referral units.

How is it calculated?

Schools receive PE and sport premium funding based on the number of pupils in years 1 to 6. The average one form entry primary school may receive approximately £18,000 per year.

What’s it for?

The PE and sport premium funding should be used to:

  • develop or add to the PE, physical activity and sport activities that a school already offers
  • build capacity and capability within the school to ensure that improvements made now will benefit pupils joining the school in future years

Schools can use the premium to secure improvements in the following indicators:

  • Engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity. The Chief Medical Officer guidelines recommend that all children and young people aged 5 to 18 engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day, of which 30 minutes should be in school. Funding can be used in a range of ways including engaging the least active children, encouraging active play during break times and lunchtimes, or establishing and extending the range of extra-curricular sports on offer.
  • The profile of PE and sport is raised across the school as a tool for whole-school improvement. Schools may choose to adopt strategies across the school such as ‘Sports Leaders’ or embed physical activity throughout the school day with active breaks and active lessons.
  • Increased confidence, knowledge and skills of all staff in teaching PE and sport. This could involve using the funding for professional development, mentoring, training or resources that all equip teachers to teach PE more effectively. Schools could also hire coaches to work alongside a teacher to enhance their development.
  • Broader experience of a range of sports and activities offered to all pupils. Funding could be used to introduce and extend the range of physical activities available to children both in the school day and beyond, e.g. after school clubs.
  • Increased participation in competitive sport. Schools could look to extend the range of opportunities to participate in competitions or tournaments within the school or across the local area.

For more detailed information about how the funding can be spent, take a look at the government guidance. 

Evidencing the Impact

Schools must publish details online of how the funding has been spent, including:

  • The amount of the premium received
  • A full breakdown of how it has been spent
  • The impact the school has seen on pupils’ PE, sport participation and attainment
  • How the improvements will be sustainable in the future

Schools must also publish online the percentage of pupils within their Year 6 cohort who are meeting the national curriculum requirements for swinmming.

Ofsted’s new Inspection Framework (2019) places an emphasis on how schools support pupils’ personal development including opportunities to learn about healthy eating and maintaining an active lifestyle. Inspectors will be looking for the school to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum including opportunities to be active during the school day. Schools could consider how they use their PE and Sport Premium to support this.

A huge part of a child’s life is doing sports in school, and getting them engaged with it requires good teaching and quality resources.

Useful links: