The government has announced that it will be investing more than £1 billion in PE and school sport over the next three years.
This includes funding for a new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, upgraded school sports facilities and continued support for primary schools during the transition to a new delivery model. Due to be fully operational by Spring 2027, the PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will replace the current PE and Sport Premium, with the aim to modernise the approach that operated successfully in the early 2000s under the previous Labour government.
The confirmed funding includes £580 million for the new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, £200 million capital funding for improved school sports facilities and a £100 million PE Premium payment to support primary schools during the transition to the new model.
Lisa Wainwright MBE, CEO of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, said: "This announcement is a welcome commitment to the future of PE and school sport and is an important step in providing clarity for the sector and schools on the way forward. The confirmation of funding over the next three years also provides longer term certainty and is a move away from the piecemeal annual approach to funding taken in previous years.
"PE and school sport plays a critical role in improving children’s health, wellbeing, confidence and sense of belonging at school. The Alliance recently co-ordinated a letter to Ministers on behalf of members reinforcing this point and highlighting the importance of maintaining investment to support the continued provision of high quality, accessible and inclusive PE and school sport.
"We await further details on the precise breakdown and phasing of the funding but look forward to working constructively with Government, Sport England and other partners to maximise the expertise and reach our National Governing Body members can bring, both to the new PE and School Sport Partnership model and facility investment. Looking ahead, the test will be ensuring this investment delivers real impact, so that every child has the opportunity to enjoy high-quality PE and school sport."
You can read more about the Alliance’s work on PE and school sport funding here.
The Alliance has established a new NGB Coalition division to better represent and promote member NGB interests. Chaired by Ralph Rimmer OBE, the NGB Coalition brings together all of our NGB members to help support collaborative engagement with Government, funders and wider partners. You can read more here: Key appointments to NGB Coalition Management Committee.
We welcome the publication of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s “Game On: Community and School Sport” report, which identifies a series of recommendations to government to strengthen grassroots sport and physical activity.
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The Sport and Recreation Alliance is delighted to confirm appointments to the National Governing Body (NGB) Coalition Management Committee, alongside existing NGB Coalition Division Chair, Ralph Rimmer OBE, and Deputy Chair, Jack Baker.
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The Sport and Recreation Alliance is delighted to welcome Justine Baynes to the Board to fill a casual vacancy.
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