Primary PE & Sport Premium Funding 2025-26

Published on 26/08/2025 in News

Primary PE & Sport Premium Funding 2025-26: Official Government Announcement & What It Means for Schools

Following the 2025 Spending Review, the Department for Education (DfE) has officially confirmed that the Primary PE & Sport Premium will be extended for the 2025-26 academic year. This funding will continue to be delivered in two tranches – one in Autumn 2025 and another in Spring 2026, providing schools, PE leaders and educators with continuity, clarity and certainty.

What is the Primary PE & Sport Premium?

The origins of the Primary PE & Sport Premium can be traced back to 5th July 2012, when then Primary Minister, David Cameron announced a major financial commitment to PE and school sport. This was part of the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games aimed at "Inspiring a Generation." With funding from three government departments - Health, Education, and Culture, Media, and Sport - the Premium sought to harness the excitement of the Games and boost physical activity in schools.

Put simply, the PE & Sport Premium is a ring-fenced grant, currently worth £320 million per year, allocated to eligible schools. The aim? To support the delivery of two hours of high-quality PE per week plus a wider range of daily physical activity. The core objectives can be split into three main areas:

  • Drive sustainable improvements in PE, sport, and overall physical activity provision

  • Ensure equitable access for all pupils – across gender, background and ability

  • Boost teacher expertise through continuous professional development (CPD)

Find out more about the history of the PE & Sport Premium here.

Why does the extension matter?

Certainty builds confidence. And confidence ultimately enables PE leaders and educators to focus on what they do best… teach!

With the Primary PE & Sport Premium funding confirmed for the 2025-26 academic year, schools can now get on with their planning and preparation. It enables them to embed improvements across the whole year, rather than focusing on the short term.

Finally, it allows schools to continue to think outside the box and bring new opportunities and experiences and showcase new sports such as American Football, Lacrosse or Pickleball to their children.

The extension confirms progress is being made, but the real impact will depend on strategic planning, effective use and robust reporting.

Beyond a grant, toward a movement

Whilst the extension of the Primary PE & Sport Premium into 2025-26 is welcome news, it’s more than just a financial lifeline. It’s a strategic opportunity to create a joined-up national plan that connects PE with health, wellbeing and education.

Industry leaders such as the Association for Physical Education (AfPE) and the Youth Sports Trust are highlighting the importance of this movement with Ali Oliver MBE, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust saying:

“We know how important daily physical activity is for health, wellbeing, personal and cognitive development, as well as academic attainment. At present, more than 50% of children are not achieving minimum recommended levels and this number is even higher for children from the least affluent backgrounds. Continued investment in PE, sport and play is essential to building a future where no child misses out.”

Chris Mahady, CEO of Davies Sports parent company, Findel said

“Davies Sports and Findel have been supporting PE & sport for over 60 years and over that time, we’re proud to have helped 1000s of PE leads and teachers. We see and hear the positive impact PE plays on a daily basis and the wider impact of being physically active shouldn’t go unnoticed. We welcome the funding announcement, and we stand alongside our industry peers in calling on the government to grasp the opportunity presented."

To find out more about the Primary PE & Sport Premium extension, visit Youth Sports Trust or AfPE.

Quick FAQs About the Primary PE & Sport Premium 2025 – 26

Q: How much funding is available through the PE & Sport Premium in 2025-26?

A: The confirmed grant remains at £320 million per year, distributed in two tranches to eligible primary schools. Recent announcements confirm the continuation of the £320 million funding for 2025-26. Further details from Government guidelines here.

Q: How can schools spend their PE & Sport Premium funding?

A: Schools must use the funding to make sustainable improvements to PE, sport and daily physical activity provision. This includes investing in CPD for teachers, new sports equipment and offering a broader range of physical activities. Detailed further here from the government site on guidance.

Key principles of spending the premium are "additional and sustainable improvements" and "building capacity and capability." The examples given (CPD, equipment, broader activities) are excellent. More government guidance insight here.

It's also worth noting that the DfE guidance often highlights 5 key indicators for spending:

  1. Increased confidence, knowledge and skills of all staff in teaching PE and sport.

  2. Engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity.

  3. Profile of PE and sport is raised across the school as a tool for whole-school improvement.

  4. Broader experience of a range of sports and activities offered to all pupils.

  5. Increased participation in competitive sport.

Q: Where can schools find guidance on effective PE & Sport Premium spending?

A: Schools can refer to the Department for Education’s guidance, as well as advice from organisations like AfPE and Youth Sport Trust.

AfPE (Association for Physical Education) and Youth Sport Trust are indeed key national organisations that provide extensive support and resources for schools regarding the premium.

Additional Points to Consider:

Payment Dates: While not explicitly asked, it's worth noting that typically, the funding for maintained schools is given to the local authority in two separate payments (e.g., in October/November and April/May, though specific dates can vary slightly year to year and for new schools). Academies receive it directly.

Reporting Requirements: Schools are required to publish details of how they spend their funding by a certain date (e.g., by 31 July each year) on their school website, and from 2024-25, a new digital reporting tool is mandatory. This reinforces accountability and demonstrates the impact of the spending.

What the funding cannot be used for:

  • Capital expenditure (e.g., large building projects, unless it falls within a school's "de-minimis" value for purchases)

  • Employing coaches or specialist teachers to cover PPA (Planning, Preparation, and Assessment) arrangements (this should come from core staffing budgets)

  • Teaching the minimum requirements of the national curriculum (with the exception of top-up swimming lessons for pupils who don't meet national curriculum requirements after core lessons)