Primary PE and sport premium: A message from afPE CEO Kate Thornton-Bousfield

Yesterday we received the fantastic news that the Primary PE and sport premium has been confirmed for 2025-2026. This was much welcomed by the sector in continuing to improve the quality and accessibility of Physical Education and sports provision for all young people. It provides opportunities to be physically active, develop healthy lifestyles and enhance their wellbeing.

For the past 12 years we have talked about sustainable solutions, yet in the past 10 months we have observed panic in schools around how they will continue to improve opportunities and experiences without the funding.

Over the past 24 hours activity and posting on social media by companies offering their services has been quite overwhelming for teachers and leaders of PE.

Please can we remind all schools that the guidance document around next year’s funding has not yet been published and the use of this funding should be in line with priorities identified in your school improvement plan following your evaluation of the impact the funding has had this year.

Your sustainable solution is your school workforce and your teachers. Before you commit and sign contracts with private providers please do consider what your class teachers need in order to be able to deliver high quality PE.

Please do remember the funding should be used in an effective and sustainable way.

Schools should consider their workforce and how they can deliver PE internally without having to rely on external providers.

1. Since 2013 over £3billion has been paid out in PE and Sport Premium funding.
2. The PE and sport premium helps all eligible primary schools to make additional and sustainable improvements to the PE, sport, and physical activity they provide. 
3. During the 24/25 academic year over 18,000 schools and 3.9m pupils benefitted from the PE and Sport premium funding.

Please let the focus of the funding be on sustainable high-level delivery for physical education and school sport and consider your approach to spending the funding. The Association for Physical Education as the subject association are here to support you.