DfE Confirm the Doubling of the Primary PE & Sport Premium from September 2017

17/07/17

We are delighted to announce that the Department for Education has confirmed that the Primary PE & Sport Premium will double from September 2017.

This afternoon’s Secretary of State’s announcement on school funding, includes a section reconfirming the commitment to doubling the Primary PE & Sport Premium from September 2017.

The DfE has made the following statement:

“The DfE understands that schools are keen to know how much funding they will receive so that they can plan for the next academic year, and are seeking to communicate high level principles in preparation for the new academic year. These will be announced in due course, however, we can confirm that all schools will see an increase in their premium allocation.”

“The Government is committed to ensuring that all schools are fairly funded and that money is invested in the most effective way. After careful consideration, we have therefore decided not to proceed with the proposed healthy pupils capital programme, in order to provide more money to schools through their core funding instead. Schools can, of course, choose to invest their core funding in PE and Sport.”

Sue Wilkinson MBE, afPE’s CEO said:

“afPE is delighted to hear that the Government will continue to invest in physical education and school sport. The doubling of the funding formula will help schools to continue to use physical education, sport and physical activity as a tool to improve educational attainment, emotional and physical health and well-being. Children and young people are our future and we must all work collectively to ensure that we enable them to make the right lifestyle choices, support families and engage communities to make a difference. afPE will update members once we have had further discussions with the Department.”

“As many schools now approach the end of the academic year, on behalf of the Board and Staff I want to confirm the Association’s commitment to ensuring physical education (PE), sport and physical activity (PA) remain at the heart of school life. We are all delighted that the Government has not only continued but also enhanced its investment in the Primary PE & Sport Premium.”

“Irrespective of funding, those of you who were at the National Conference will know, that afPE will always remain committed to investing in having the best workforce available to deliver on all of the three areas. We want to ensure that children and young people attain the best that they can, that they are healthy and emotionally well, and most importantly physically competent. We must not trade PE for physical activity or sport and we must respect the difference each area has to offer; it is important to recognise the value of each for what it contributes to the lives of young people.”

“The Association must continue to do what it does well and support colleagues across all phases of education. The Association’s Strategic Plan and expectation of Government, centres around its corporate objectives and also the commitment outlined to Government in 2013 in the H.E.L.P poster concerning health and emotional well being, educational entitlement, leadership and powerful education. This commitment is unchanged as afPE is not about trends or fads but about recognising, valuing and respecting the true worth of PE, Sport and PA.”

“If we work together to encompass all three elements we will surely make a difference to the lives of children and young people. afPE will continue to design and deliver high quality professional learning opportunities and resources that can be used safely in all schools across all ages. It will also support parents and carers in recognising the contribution that PE, Sport and PA can make in increasing educational attainment, health and well being, which are significant reasons for engaging in these important areas.”

“A huge thank you to all members and partners in helping us achieve our commitments in supporting and upskilling the workforce and ensuring afPE is represented at local and national levels.”

“Have an enjoyable and restful summer as we need to continue to work hard to achieve afPE’s objectives in the next academic year and be guided by our North Star and who knows we may even secure PE as a core curriculum subject!”