Primary PE and sport premium update 2026/27

We have heard your concerns about the transition from the current Premium funding arrangements to the new Partnerships model. To support schools as we move to the new Partnerships Network, we are increasing the PE and sport premium transition funding for 2026/27 academic year from £100 million to £150 million. Schools will receive approximately £8000 median average per eligible school as a one-off payment in the Autumn to be spent within the 2026/27 academic year. This will ensure schools are fully supported as the new Partnerships Network works with them from January to get up and running, delivering support from April 2027.  

Next steps: 

• We will publish the guidance and Conditions of Grant for the PE and sport premium transition funding in September.

• The PE and sport premium transition funding allocations will be published in October as usual.

• A National Delivery Partner for the PE and School Sport Partnerships network will be appointed in November.

• The National Delivery Partner will mobilise from that point, engage with schools and local partnerships on their needs, and set up the PE and School Sport Partnerships Network delivery based on this during the spring term.

• Delivery of support from the PE and School Sport Partnerships national network will start from April 2027.

What will the PE and School Sport Partnerships national network look like?

The new Partnerships Network will build on what schools have told us works well. It will continue to support key areas such as extra-curricular sport and physical activity; sport competitions; access to coaches and specialist practitioners; and high-quality PE and physical activity opportunities. It will reduce duplication in reporting and provision, provide clearer support, and strengthen accountability for public funding. 

The Partnerships Network will include three school support pathways: 

• Universal Offer – support available to all eligible schools, including Continued Professional Development (CPD), guidance, resources and sector signposting. 

• Targeted Intervention – additional support directed by the National Delivery Partner to schools or pupil groups identified as having the greatest need. 

• School-Requested Intervention – support requested by schools on the basis of identified local need, to be considered by the National Delivery Partner in accordance with eligibility criteria, available capacity and the overall objectives of the Partnerships Network. 

We expect the Partnerships Network to help schools with the following: 

• Support for curriculum PE and swimming and water safety through high-quality CPD for teachers on the PE curriculum, including on provision for pupils with SEND, both online and in person. 

• Access to a digital platform, which will signpost schools to high quality school sports providers in the local area so schools can offer a wider range of opportunities, respond to pupil interests, and support school sport provision through trusted local expertise.  

• Links to local community sports venues and activity providers who can provide coaching, sport specialism, access to facilities and direct support for extra-curricular clubs, allowing pupils to develop their interests further and sustain their engagement. 

• Access to support from sport National Governing Bodies (NGBs), ensuring schools know about their offers and directing NGBs towards need, so that access is not just down to existing connections. 

• Continued access to a broad programme of school competitions and festivals at local, regional and national level, giving schools more opportunities to engage pupils in competitive and inclusive school sport.