Primary PE and School Sport Premium 2023

What is the Primary PE and Sport Premium?

The Primary PE and Sport Premium is a government initiative that aims to improve the quality of physical education (PE) and sport in primary schools in England.  The initiative was introduced in 2013, and since then, schools have received significant additional funding to help them enhance their PE and sports provision.

How is the Primary PE and Sport Premium used?

Schools have a lot of flexibility regarding how they use the Primary PE and Sport Premium, but the funding is intended to be used to improve the quality of PE.  Schools are encouraged to use the budget to best suit their needs, but they are expected to report on how they have used the funding and the impact it has had on their pupils.

What impact has the Primary PE and Sport Premium had?

There is evidence to suggest that the Primary PE and Sport Premium has had a positive impact on schools and pupils.  According to a report by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) published in 2019, the initiative has helped to increase the proportion of physically active pupils.  It has led to improvements in the quality of PE teaching in schools.

The report found that the proportion of pupils who are physically active for at least 60 minutes a day has increased, with the most significant increases seen in the most deprived schools.  In addition, the report found that there had been significant improvements in the quality of PE teaching, with schools reporting that they had been able to provide more opportunities for pupils to take part in competitive sport and improve their skills.

Ongoing funding from 2023 and beyond

Over £600 million across the next two academic years (2023-24 & 2024-25) for the continuane of the Primary PE and Sport Premium – a funding promise to improve PE and sports in primary schools to help children benefit from regular participation in physical activity.  This is part of the Government’s new objective for equal access to sports for all children in England.

Equal access to sports

In early March 2023, the Government set new standards for equal access to sport.  The complete package is set to include

• Over £600 million of ongoing funding for the next two academic years (2023-24 & 2024-25) to continue the Primary PE and Sport Premium
• A new digital reporting tool for Primary PE and Sport Premium – to support schools to use the funding in the most impactful way
• Schools to deliver a minimum 2 hours of curriculum PE – with more support being offered via a reimagined School Sport Action Plan
• £22 million for two years of further funding for the School Games Organiser network (SGO) – There are 450 SGO’s supporting a broad raft of physical activity in schools, including 28,000 competitive events
• Equal access to sports in school – where desired, schools should offer the same access to physical activity, for example, both boys and girls playing competitive netball.
• Up to £57 million funding for the ‘Open Sports Facilities’ programme – to open up more school sports facilities outside of school hours with a focus on girls, pupils with SEN and those considered from a disadvantaged background
• Schools Games Mark focus broadened – to reward equality of provision for girls.