For more than a decade, the £320 million annual Primary PE and Sport Premium fund has provided primary schools with direct funding to improve PE, physical activity and school sport. However, from 2027, the funding will be replaced by a new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, with support delivered through national and local organisations rather than directly to schools. The new model will operate with significantly less annual funding than the current scheme and many school leaders have expressed concerns about what this could mean for opportunities available to children.
At a time when schools are already facing intense budget pressures, many are questioning whether a centrally delivered support network can provide the same flexibility and impact as funding that schools could invest directly where needed most. From swimming lessons and transport to competitions, to PE equipment and coaching, the current funding has helped schools deliver experiences that many pupils may otherwise have missed out on.
PE is already under pressure
The current state of PE in schools is already a cause for concern, before the changes to funding have even started, PE and school sports are already facing an uphill battle as seen in the latest Youth Sport Trust Annual Report:
Nearly one in five pupils have had PE lessons cancelled during the current academic year, while the total number of PE teaching hours has continued to fall. In fact, almost 45,000 fewer hours of PE are now being taught compared to 2011/12.
These trends come at a time when children need physical activity more than ever.
The Youth Sport Trust reports that 2.2 million children are now doing less than 30 minutes of physical activity each day, while fewer than half are achieving the recommended 60 minutes of daily activity. Physical activity levels have stagnated for five consecutive years, and one in ten young people report low wellbeing.
Yet the benefits of sport and physical activity extend far beyond physical health.
Sport helps children develop confidence, resilience, teamwork, leadership and perseverance. It teaches young people how to respond to setbacks, work towards goals and believe in themselves. Perhaps ironically, active children are better able to concentrate and engage in learning, resulting in better academic outcomes. Sport gives skills that benefit children not just on the sports field, but in the classroom and throughout their lives.
The encouraging news is that children themselves recognise the value of being active. According to the Youth Sport Trust, 93% of young people believe PE is important, while 71% say they would like to be more active at school.
The challenge for schools is finding ways to maintain opportunities for children despite increasing financial pressures.
How can we help?
At Great Athletes, we see first-hand the difference that inspirational sporting role models can make. Our athlete visits give children the chance to hear from Olympians, Paralympians and elite athletes who have overcome challenges, setbacks and adversity to achieve success and compete at the highest level their sport offers.
Importantly, our events also help schools generate additional funding for PE equipment. Over the years, schools have raised more than £8.5 million through Great Athletes events, helping them reinvest directly into opportunities that benefit their pupils.
While fundraising alone cannot solve the wider challenges facing PE and school sport, it can provide valuable support at a time when many schools are feeling the squeeze.
As discussions continue around education funding and the future of PE provision, one thing remains clear: every child deserves the opportunity to be active, inspired and healthy.
Protecting opportunities for sport and physical activity isn’t simply about producing future Olympians. It’s about giving every child the confidence, resilience and wellbeing they need to thrive.
And that’s something worth investing in.
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