Schools get a boost to improve PE and school sport, as the Department for Education has confirmed that the Sport Premium funding will continue for the next two academic years.
This is backed by a package of cross-government funding to help boost sport and activities both inside and outside school hours including the confirmation of over £600 million in funding over the next two academic years for the PE and Sport Premium and £22 million for the School Games Organisers (SGO) network.
Schools are also being asked to offer a minimum of two hours curriculum PE time and Government will provide support to schools on how to do this through the upcoming refresh of the School Sport Action Plan.
Alongside this work, Ofsted will be publishing a report into PE in the coming months, which will inform future inspections and set out what they believe is possible in terms of offering high quality PE and equal access to sports.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
“We want schools to build on this legacy and give every girl the opportunity to do the same sports as boys, as well as provide a minimum of two hours of PE. This means every child can benefit from regular exercise and we are proud to provide them with the support needed to do so.”
Founder of Progressive Sports Eddie Ray said;
“It’s great to see the government release the news early and commit for a further 2 years which allows schools plenty of time to start to plan how they can best use the funding for maximum impact. The entitlement to high quality PE & school sport should be made available to everyone and this funding is demonstration that the government is committed to achieving this.”
Schools will receive updated guidance this summer setting out how to use the funding to the best advantage of their pupils. A new digital tool will be introduced for schools to report on their spending of the PE and Sport Premium and allow the Government to understand where further guidance is needed.