The Government has announced that, due to the pandemic, any unspent PE funding from last year can be carried forward into this year, meaning you may have additional money to spend on PE up to July 2022.

You can check your school’s PE and Sport funding here.  Most UK schools are allocated a lump sum of £16,000 + £10 per pupil.

Ask your school business manager to check on last year’s PE spending as any underspend, alongside this year’s money, could make a huge difference to the health and opportunities of your pupils.

Rather than paying for what you already have in place, the guidelines make it clear that the funding should be used to build on your current provision, making improvements that are sustainable for both current and future pupils to benefit from.

There are 5 key indicators that schools should follow, and here’s what we recommend for meeting these…

1. Engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity:

• Using less traditional sports might engage your less active pupils…
• Employ a local forest school coach to run an after school club.
• Purchase play/lunch time equipment such as archery kits, hula-hoops, pogo-sticks, skipping ropes or problem solving resources.  Start with these playtime resources.
• If there are local holiday sport camps, use your funding to subsidise children that are at risk of obesity or other health issues.
• Purchase healthy rewards/prizes for children to take part in a daily mile (which doesn’t have to be a full mile! – perhaps try a K’a’Day where children jog 250 metres 4 times a day).
• Pay for additional swimming time.

2. The profile of PE and sport is raised across the school:

• The ‘Play Leaders Award’ is a great way of engaging the whole school into sport.  Children love responsibility and, with some forward planning, you could create your very own team of PE Staff!  Get in touch if you would like further advice on the Play Leaders Award.
• Embedding physical activity into the school day, here’s a useful blog for making your classroom more active.

3. Increased confidence, knowledge and skills of all staff:

• We strongly recommend PE training for all staff (teachers and TA’s).  PE Planning is a West Yorkshire based company so please get in touch if you are local.  For schools outside of God’s County, look around for a reputable coaching company who are able to deliver PE training in a staff meeting time.  Even just 2 INSET hours could make a huge difference to the confidence of staff in PE.
• Schools must not use their PE and Sport grant to cover PPA time, but it could be worthwhile to employ a coach to work alongside your teachers in PE.

4. Broader experience of a range of sports and physical activities:

• There are so many non-traditional sports available today.  Providing a range of sports can challenge the more able pupils and help unengaged pupils to connect with sport.
• Search online for primary school equipment such as archery, lacrosse, forest schools, boules, orienteering, etc.

5. Increased participation in competitive sport:

• Children competing for school creates an amazing ambience across the whole of school.  There should be a School Games programme close to your school, and some private coaching companies provide amazing competitions too.
• Even just organising a football or netball game with a local school will really benefit some children.  You can use your PE and Sport funding to pay for travel, referees, kit and prizes.
• If your children are taking part in sports competitions, be sure to share their achievements across the whole of school.

There are restrictions on the spending.  The rules state that you must NOT use the funding to…

• Employ Coaches to cover PPA time.
• Teach the minimum requirements of the national curriculum (2 hours of PE per week).
• Fund capital expenditure (if in doubt, check with your school business manager).

This year’s funding, and any underspend from last year, can be used up to 31^st July 2022.  Whole school subscriptions to PE Planning start at £165, which leaves you a healthy budget to buy equipment, get pupils competing, improve health and connect with unengaged children.

Full information on the PE and Sport Grant can be found here.

• Share the PE love: