What is the PE & Sport Premium?

The Government provides dedicated funding to primary schools to enhance and sustain high-quality physical education, sport, and physical activity for all pupils. This funding is intended to support schools in delivering long-term improvements to pupils’ health, enjoyment, and development.
 

Key features & accountability

• The funding must be spent within the academic year (i.e. it cannot be rolled forward).

• Schools must publish on their website, by 31 July each year:

  1. the amount of funding received,

  2. how it has been spent (or will be spent),

  3. the impact on pupils’ participation, PE standards, and well-being,

  4. how improvements will be sustained over time.

• Spending must comply with the conditions of grant (e.g., it cannot be used for core curriculum salaries or large building projects).
   

How schools can use it
Schools have the flexibility to decide how to use the funding, provided it supports sustainable and additional improvements in PE and sport. Here are common, encouraged uses:

• Professional development for teachers (e.g. training, mentoring)

• Employing or collaborating with specialist PE teachers or sports coaches

• Releasing staff for CPD or curriculum planning

• Offering or expanding extracurricular sport and physical activity (after school, holiday clubs)

• Running inter-school competitions, inclusive sport programs or targeted initiatives

• Purchasing quality assured resources, equipment, or curriculum materials (including small-scale equipment such as balls, bibs, or mats)

• Supporting less active children or those with additional needs to engage fully
   

Priority areas (the 5 key indicators)
To maximise impact, schools should plan spending around five national priorities:

1. Increasing staff confidence, knowledge, and skills in PE and sport

2. Ensuring all pupils regularly participate in physical activity

3. Raising the profile of PE, sport, and physical activity across the school

4. Providing a broader and more inclusive range of sports and activities

5. Increasing pupil engagement in competitive sport
    

Why it matters
This funding enables schools to go beyond statutory requirements—boosting opportunity, equity, and quality in PE and sport. It supports not only pupil fitness and well-being but also helps foster teamwork, resilience, and healthy lifelong habits.