The PE & Sport Premium is changing. But this isn't the first time Schools have faced a shift like this

By Andrew Bode, Founder & Co-Director, Kanga Sports

Like many people working in education, school sport and physical activity, I read the recent announcement regarding the end of the Primary PE & Sport Premium with mixed emotions.

The headlines have understandably caused concern.

Schools are asking:

• What happens to our PE funding?

• How will we access support in future?

• Will we still be able to provide the opportunities our children currently enjoy?

• What happens to swimming, competitions, clubs and physical activity programmes?

Whilst many questions remain unanswered, I wanted to share some thoughts from both a school and provider perspective.

Importantly, this isn't the first major shift school sport has experienced.

A Personal Reflection

Before founding Kanga, I worked as a secondary school teacher.

During that time, schools operated under the School Sport Partnership model, which many of the Government's recent announcements appear to mirror.

For those newer to education, School Sport Partnerships brought groups of primary and secondary schools together to improve PE, school sport and physical activity across local areas.

Partnership Development Managers and School Sport Coordinators worked across clusters of schools to:

• Increase participation in sport and physical activity

• Develop competition opportunities

• Support teacher development

• Strengthen links between schools and community clubs

• Raise the profile of PE and school sport

Like any system, it had strengths and weaknesses.

However, one thing it did particularly well was create collaboration. Schools were not trying to solve challenges alone. There was a network with shared expertise and a collective focus on improving opportunities for children.

Reading the recent announcements, I can see many similarities in the direction the Government appears to be taking.

What Has Actually Been Announced?

The most important thing to understand is that support for PE, school sport and physical activity is not disappearing.

The Government has announced that the Primary PE & Sport Premium will be replaced by a new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, expected to be fully operational from Spring 2027.

Alongside this, investment has been announced in:

• A new national partnership network

• School sport facilities

• Transition support for schools

• Programmes aimed at increasing participation amongst children who are currently less active

However, there is one key difference.

Historically, schools have received PE & Sport Premium funding directly and have had the autonomy to decide how that funding is used to meet the needs of their pupils.

The new model appears likely to move towards a system where support is coordinated through partnerships and networks rather than individual school budgets.

That change is understandably creating uncertainty.

Why Schools Are Concerned

I completely understand why many school leaders are worried.

Over the past decade, schools have used PE & Sport Premium funding to build provision around the needs of their pupils and communities.

Many schools have invested in:

• Teacher CPD

• Swimming provision

• Active lunchtimes

• Physical activity programmes

• Extra-curricular clubs

• Targeted interventions for less active children

• Competitive sport opportunities

For many schools, these opportunities have become embedded within school life.

The concern is not simply about funding.

The concern is about losing opportunities for children.

That is a valid concern and one that many school leaders will be sharing.

What We Know About The Direction Of Travel

Whilst there is still much detail to emerge, the Government's messaging consistently references several important themes.

Inclusion

There is a strong emphasis on ensuring opportunities reach children who traditionally participate less in physical activity.

This includes:

• Children with SEND

• Girls

• Less active pupils

• Children from disadvantaged backgrounds

This is something the sector has been working hard to improve for many years and it is encouraging to see it remain a priority.

Physical Activity Beyond PE

The conversation is no longer solely about PE lessons.

There is growing recognition that children's activity levels are influenced by a much wider range of experiences, including:

• Active play

• Physical activity throughout the school day

• Extra-curricular clubs

• Swimming

• Wraparound provision

• Community sport opportunities

• Family engagement

This reflects what many schools already understand.

Creating active children requires far more than a timetable slot.

Stronger Partnerships

The word "partnership" appears throughout the announcement.

Schools, providers, sports clubs and community organisations are expected to work more closely together to improve outcomes for children.

In many ways, this feels like a return to a more collaborative approach.

The strongest outcomes are often achieved when schools are supported by a wider network of expertise and opportunities.

Additional Information Emerging From Recent Discussions

Whilst we are still waiting for full guidance from the Department for Education, recent stakeholder discussions have provided some additional insight into how the transition may operate.

Current indications suggest that schools will continue to receive transitional funding during Autumn 2026, equivalent to approximately one term of the current PE & Sport Premium allocation.

Importantly, schools are expected to retain flexibility over how this funding is used and are not expected to spend it solely within the Autumn Term. This should provide schools with greater opportunity to plan provision across the wider academic year whilst further details of the new system emerge.

Although many aspects of the new model are still being developed, this transitional funding should help schools avoid a sudden cliff edge and provide valuable time to plan ahead.

What Hasn't Changed

Whilst the funding mechanism may be changing, the priorities for schools remain exactly the same.

Schools will still need to:

• Improve children's health and wellbeing

• Support physical development

• Increase participation

• Meet the needs of SEND pupils

• Deliver swimming outcomes

• Provide enrichment opportunities

• Develop staff confidence and competence

• Support children who need additional help to engage and thrive

The challenge for schools is not whether these priorities remain important.

The challenge is understanding how best to achieve them within the new system.

Teacher Development Remains Critical

One of the clearest themes emerging from discussions is the continued focus on teacher confidence and competence.

As a former teacher, I understand the importance of having staff who feel equipped to deliver engaging and high-quality physical education experiences.

At Kanga, we have always believed that supporting school staff through meaningful CPD is one of the most sustainable ways of improving outcomes for children.

Whilst specialist providers will continue to play an important role, investing in teacher development helps create long-term impact that benefits pupils year after year.

Swimming Continues To Be A Priority

It is also encouraging to see school swimming continue to feature prominently within discussions around the new network.

Swimming remains one of the most important life skills we can teach children, yet it continues to present challenges for many schools due to facility access, transport, staffing and curriculum pressures.

At Kanga, we remain passionate about helping schools ensure every child has the opportunity to develop confidence, competence and safety in the water.

If recent discussions are anything to go by, swimming is likely to remain a significant focus within future provision.

Supporting The Children Who Need It Most

One aspect of the proposed changes that particularly stands out is the continued emphasis on supporting children who face barriers to participation and achievement.

Schools are increasingly working with children who require additional support, whether that relates to confidence, wellbeing, behaviour, attendance or social and emotional development.

Physical activity can play a powerful role in supporting these children, but often the greatest impact comes when activity is combined with trusted relationships and targeted interventions.

At Kanga, we have seen first-hand the difference that mentoring and targeted support programmes can make in helping children build confidence, resilience and a stronger connection to school life.

It is encouraging to see inclusion and targeted provision remaining central to the future direction of school sport and physical activity.

Quality Matters More Than Ever

One area that appears likely to become increasingly important within the new system is quality assurance.

Schools will understandably want confidence that the organisations they work with meet recognised standards for safeguarding, workforce development, delivery quality and professional practice.

At Kanga, we are proud to have been an afPE Approved Business Associate since 2019.

This nationally recognised quality mark is awarded to organisations that demonstrate high standards across a range of areas including safeguarding, governance, workforce development, professional practice and educational impact.

We are incredibly proud to have maintained this status and believe it reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting schools and children to the highest possible standard.

What Should Schools Be Doing Now?

My advice is simple.

Don't panic.

Schools do not need to make immediate decisions based on headlines.

Instead, use this period as an opportunity to reflect on what is working well and what has the greatest impact on children.

Five Questions Every School Should Be Asking Right Now

1. What has the greatest impact on our pupils?

Which programmes genuinely improve:

• Participation

• Confidence

• Physical literacy

• Wellbeing

• Enjoyment of physical activity

2. Which opportunities would we not want to lose?

If funding structures change, schools should be clear about which opportunities they believe deliver the greatest value to children.

3. How well can we demonstrate impact?

How does physical activity contribute to wider priorities such as attendance, behaviour, wellbeing, inclusion and personal development?

4. Are we reaching the children who need support most?

How effectively are we engaging those pupils who face barriers to participation?

5. How strong are our partnerships?

Who are the organisations helping us achieve the best outcomes for children and how can those relationships continue to develop?

The Opportunity We Must Not Lose Sight Of

It would be easy for the sector to focus entirely on funding.

But funding is only the vehicle.

The real objective remains unchanged.

Every child deserves access to high-quality physical activity experiences, deserves opportunities to build confidence, resilience, teamwork and healthy habits.

Every child deserves the chance to discover activities they enjoy and develop a positive relationship with movement.

That was true under School Sport Partnerships.

It was true under the PE & Sport Premium.

And it will remain true whatever system comes next.

Looking Ahead

The next 12 months will be important.

There will undoubtedly be challenges and questions to answer.

However, having experienced the School Sport Partnership era first-hand as a teacher, I believe there is also reason for optimism.

Periods of change often create uncertainty, but they also create opportunities for schools that are proactive, collaborative and clear about what they want to achieve for their children.

If the new system successfully combines high standards, strong partnerships and a continued focus on children's outcomes, it has the potential to create exciting opportunities for schools and young people alike.

At Kanga, we will continue to monitor developments closely and share practical updates as they emerge.

Most importantly, we will continue working alongside schools to help create positive experiences that encourage children to be active, healthy and happy.

Because whilst funding models may change, the needs of children do not.