What the 2025–26 PE and Sport Premium Funding Means for Primary Schools
2025–26 Sport Premium funding confirmed: time to maximise impact!
The Department for Education has officially confirmed the continuation of the Primary PE and Sport Premium funding for the 2025–26 academic year. This is welcomed news for schools across England, as it ensures another year of ring-fenced investment into high-quality PE, physical activity, and school sport.
While this funding continues to support schools in prioritising investment in PESSPA, it is essential that school leaders review how this funding is used to maximise impact, specifically by creating meaningful connections to movement that support the development of physical literacy and a lifelong positive relationship with physical activity.
At Beyond the Physical, we believe this confirmation gives schools the opportunity to plan long-term, embed sustainable practices, and build inclusive, active environments that go beyond the playground. We also welcome a further emphasis on accountability and evidence base for how funding is being used to maximise impact.
🧾 What’s Included in the 2025–26 Update?
1. Funding Maintained with Emphasis on Accountability
•Schools will continue to receive up to £16,000 + £10 per pupil (for schools with 17+ pupils).
•Smaller schools (≤16 pupils) will receive £1,000 per pupil.
•The funding remains ring-fenced, meaning it must be used to make additional and sustainable improvements to the quality of PE, physical activity, and sport.
2. Mandatory Digital Reporting
•From 9 June to 31 July 2025, schools must submit their spending and impact data using the new DfE digital reporting tool.
This includes:
•Full breakdown of how the funding was spent
•Evidence of impact across the five key indicators
•Swimming and water safety data for Year 6 pupils
This shift strengthens transparency and encourages schools to take a more evidence-based approach to planning and delivery.
📌 The Five Key Indicators (Still Central to 2025–26 Use)
All spending must contribute to improvements in at least one of the following areas:
1.Staff confidence, knowledge, and skills in PE
2.Broader experience of a range of sports and activities
3.Engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity
4.Increased participation in competitive sport
5.Raising PE’s profile to support whole-school improvement
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🛠 How schools can make the most of 2025–26
🔹 Invest in Teacher CPD
Use funding to train and upskill staff with sustained, high-impact CPD—not just one-off courses. Beyond the Physical offers tailored training rooted in best practice and aligned with Ofsted expectations.
🔹 Expand Inclusive Provision
Plan programmes that actively engage all pupils—including those with SEND or lower physical confidence—through differentiated games, alternative sports, and structured lunchtime activities.
🔹 Embed Sustainable Programmes
Choose approaches that can be maintained long-term, even when funding stops—such as developing young leaders, peer-to-peer coaching, or embedding physical literacy into the broader curriculum.
🔹 Prepare for Reporting Now
Begin collecting evidence early—use our templates and self-evaluation tools to document what’s working, track outcomes, and prepare your digital submission with confidence.
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👣 Next Steps for Schools
1.Audit your current provision—identify gaps in teaching confidence, activity levels, or pupil engagement.
2.Design your 2025–26 action plan—link every initiative back to one of the five key indicators.
3.Build in evaluation tools—surveys, participation logs, teacher reflections, and progression trackers.
4.Partner with experts—Beyond the Physical can help you design, deliver, and evidence high-quality PE that lasts.
📞 Need Support? Let’s Plan Together.
At Beyond the Physical, we support schools to make the most of every pound. From strategic planning to CPD delivery and impact reporting, we’re ready to help you turn funding into measurable change.
Read about our consultancy services here
📩 Get in touch today to book a free 15-minute consultation.