The latest guidance on the PE and Sport Premium is now live, and while the core purpose of the funding remains unchanged, there are a few key updates schools need to be aware of. Whether you’re planning ahead for CPD, improving extracurricular provision, or exploring new physical activity initiatives, this summary highlights the essentials for 2025–26.
What is the PE and Sport Premium for?
This government funding is designed to help primary schools improve and embed sustainable physical activity and PE provision. It supports every child to lead an active, healthy lifestyle regardless of background, ability, or starting point.
Schools can use the premium to:
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Expand extracurricular opportunities
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Boost teacher confidence through PE CPD
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Reduce sedentary time across the school day
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Support less active children to get moving
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Provide top-up swimming lessons and water safety education
What’s new for 2025–26?
The biggest change is the funding schedule:
Payments will now be split evenly: 50% in the autumn term and 50% in the spring/summer term.
This replaces the old 7/12 + 5/12 instalment pattern and offers a simpler, more balanced approach to budgeting and planning.
What are the spending rules?
You can use the premium for:
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Teacher training and upskilling in PE
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Bringing in external coaches (as support, not to replace teachers)
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Equipment or resources to expand physical activity provision
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Transport to extracurricular activities
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Developing sustainable initiatives that last beyond the funding year
You can’t use the premium for:
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Capital costs (e.g. building works, fixed playground structures)
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Staff salaries for delivering statutory PE
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PE kits, admin costs, or general school improvements
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Future-year commitments or pre-paid services
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Anything unrelated to improving physical activity or PE
What are your responsibilities?
Schools must:
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Spend the full premium in the academic year it’s received
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Publish an online report by 31 July 2026, showing how the funding was used and what impact it had
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Complete a digital reporting return (deadline also 31 July 2026)
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Evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of their approach
School leaders, governors, and trustees are all expected to play an active role in planning and overseeing the impact of this funding.
What should schools do now?
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Review your current provision – where are the gaps? What’s not reaching all pupils?
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Plan with sustainability in mind – focus on training staff and embedding good habits
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Get your documentation in order – prepare now to avoid last-minute scrambles in July
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Explore creative opportunities – PAL programmes like Maths on the Move and English on the Move are fully aligned with the premium’s aims
How the PE & Sport Premium Tracker Supports Schools?
The PE & Sport Premium Tracker helps schools plan, monitor, and evidence how funding is used to improve PE and sport. Developed by afPE and partners, it aligns with DfE guidelines and supports live tracking of spend, actions, and impact across the five key indicators.
It helps schools:
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Log spending in real time
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Track progress throughout the year
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Align actions with national funding priorities
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Simplify reporting for Ofsted and meet new DfE digital reporting requirements
When used alongside the new digital return, the tracker offers valuable insight into how PE and sport funding supports pupil progress, making it an essential tool for planning, reporting, and demonstrating impact.
🔗 Learn more about PE and sport premium guidance for primary schools: