PE and Dance in the Curriculum Review: Keep Calm, Build on What Works, and Prepare Well

The Department for Education’s Curriculum and Assessment Review: Final Report (November 2025) has sparked plenty of discussion about the future of the curriculum. You can read the full report, or our friends at Classroom Secrets have published an excellent summary, Everything in the Curriculum Review (and why there’s no need to panic).

At Kanga Sports, we’ve looked at the review through the lens of Physical Education, School Sport, Physical Activity and enrichment. The priorities outlined reflect exactly what we’ve believed and delivered since day one: that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive physically, mentally and socially through a broad, high-quality curriculum.

No need to change anything right now

The updated curriculum is planned for September 2028, giving schools plenty of time to prepare. There is no reason to rush into changes. The best next step is to protect what already works well, stay informed, and make calm, measured improvements that benefit pupils.

What’s already working well

Before we talk about future changes, it’s important to celebrate what’s already strong in schools. Our partner schools continue to show excellence in:

• Providing regular, high-quality PE time, with most meeting or exceeding two hours each week.

• Offering inclusive participation through clubs, festivals and competitions that welcome all pupils.

• Delivering Dance that builds confidence, creativity and self-expression.

• Teaching Swimming effectively through our Swim:ED programme, which focuses on safety and progression.

• Creating opportunities for Outdoor and Adventurous Activities (OAA) wherever facilities allow.

• Promoting wellbeing, attendance and behaviour through physical activity, not just fitness.

These are the strong foundations we help our partner schools to maintain and develop.

What the Review says about PE and Dance

The Review’s direction is clear: greater clarity and consistency across all schools.

It proposes:

• A refreshed purpose for PE that balances competition with inclusion.

• Clearer expectations and progression by key stage.

• Stronger guidance for Dance, Swimming and OAA.

• A greater focus on lifelong participation, teamwork and wellbeing.

• More detailed progression examples to help non-specialist teachers feel confident.

  
  

Movement towards physical literacy

• A shift from sports‑only PE to holistic physical literacy. The final Curriculum and Assessment Review (November 2025) describes PE’s purpose as balancing competition with inclusion and emphasising lifelong participation and wellbeing. Scholars have argued that the review provides an opportunity to centre physical literacy - a holistic approach that develops motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding so that young people value and engage in physical activity throughout life. Quality PE is thus positioned as the foundation for lifelong engagement; it should nurture physical, cognitive, social and emotional development, not just competitive performance

• Incorporation into policy and quality PE. The Curriculum Review recommends clearer, more progressive programmes of study for dance, swimming and outdoor activities and calls for guidance that helps non‑specialist teachers deliver high‑quality lessons. Commentary from the International Physical Literacy Association notes that PE should move beyond a narrow focus on competition and celebrate the physical, cognitive, affective and social domains. High‑quality PE should therefore give pupils time to master skills and deepen understanding rather than offering many brief, unrelated topics. The review also welcomes redrafting the aims of PE to emphasise its contribution to physical, social, cognitive and emotional development and to incorporate physical literacy.The Curriculum Review’s refreshed purpose for PE aligns with this shift: less pressure on performance, more emphasis on confidence, inclusion and long-term participation.

Importantly, none of these proposals require immediate action. Schools have time to plan thoughtfully, and we’ll be reviewing our CPD packages to help teachers build confidence in delivering Primary PE.

Enrichment in Schools & After-School Provision

What’s coming and why it matters.

The government has announced a move towards a core enrichment entitlement linked to the wider curriculum improvements planned for 2028.

What this means for schools

• Expect a clearer national framework for enrichment.

• Enrichment (including sport, dance, outdoor activity, volunteering, arts, leadership) will become a bigger part of school improvement conversations.

• Ofsted is likely to look more closely at breadth, inclusion and accessibility.

  
  

New funding & initiatives that matter to schools

Recent announcements include:

• £22.5m to support up to 400 schools to build richer enrichment offers (sport, arts, outdoors, leadership).

• A new national network to connect schools with local clubs, NGBs and providers to break down participation barriers.

• Guidance (expected this year) on giving every child equal access to extracurricular activities.

• Improved support for schools opening facilities after school for community and pupil use.

  
  

What schools can do this year

• Audit current enrichment — who attends, who doesn’t, what’s missing?

• Align clubs with curriculum PE (e.g., Dance unit → after-school dance club).

• Strengthen partnerships with local clubs to widen access.

• Plan for how staff or partners can sustain a broad offer without adding workload.

  confidence as the new curriculum approaches.

Preparing calmly and confidently

Here are seven simple steps you can take this year:

1. Protect your PE time Aim for two hours each week and prioritise participation for all pupils.

2. Revisit how lessons Support confidence and enjoyment, not just competence.

3. Review language used in PE (e.g. “your best version” rather than “best in class”).

4. Make light-touch improvements Choose one Dance unit to refine, building from motif to performance and appreciation.

5. Review Swimming and OAA separately Ensure clear outcomes, safety measures and progression in each.

6. Check progression is visible Physical confidence and vocabulary should clearly build from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2.

7. Align enrichment Clubs and extracurricular opportunities should complement curriculum learning and broaden access.Use enrichment to extend physical literacy beyond curriculum time.

   
   

Small, steady adjustments will have the biggest long-term impact.

How Kanga supports your school

We know PE isn’t always a top budget priority. That’s why our approach is about support first, not sales. We aim to be a reliable partner that strengthens what schools already do well.

High coaching standards

All Kanga coaches hold a minimum Level 4 qualification to deliver curriculum PE and follow a clear progression pathway up to Level 6. We also support colleagues who wish to pursue Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Curriculum-aligned delivery

Our sessions are mapped to your long-term plans and prioritise inclusion, progression and teacher confidence.

Dance that feels achievable

We design practical, well-sequenced lessons that build choreography, movement and performance over time.

Swimming

We understand the cost and logistical pressures of swimming. That’s why we’re proud partners of Swim:ED, bringing high-quality swimming provision directly to schools.

Outdoor and Adventurous Activities (OAA)

We help schools plan and deliver OAA safely and confidently, adapting to local environments and facilities.

Linked enrichment

Our clubs and activities connect directly to curriculum goals, ensuring every child has the chance to stay active and engaged.

Due diligence: questions every school should ask

Schools deserve to work with partners who are transparent and accountable.Here are key questions to ask any PE provider (including us):

• What qualifications do your staff hold, and who quality-assures their curriculum delivery?

• How do you demonstrate progression for Dance, Swimming and OAA?

• How do you support inclusion and adapt for pupils with SEND?

• Will our staff feel more confident teaching PE after working with you?

• What systems are in place to ensure consistent delivery if a coach is unavailable?

• How will you evidence the wider impact of PE on wellbeing and attendance without adding workload?

  
  

The Kanga PE Health Check

We are currently updating our PE Health Check to reflect the Review’s focus on clarity, progression and inclusion.Launching early next year, it will:

• Be free for partner schools and low-cost for non-partners

• Take around 30 minutes to complete

• Provide a clear, one-page overview of strengths and next steps across PE, (including Dance, Swimming and OAA)

It’s designed to help schools reflect on their current provision with confidence and plan ahead for the new curriculum.

Talk to us

If you would like early access to the refreshed PE Health Check or information on our short CPD sessions for Dance or OAA, please contact us at www.kangasports.co.uk/contact.

There is no rush and no pressure. We are here to help you prepare steadily and confidently so every child can move, learn and thrive, whenever you are ready.