For primary schools across England, the PE and Sport Premium 2026/27 provides another opportunity to strengthen physical education, increase participation and create positive experiences of sport for every pupil.
However, effective PE provision is about much more than simply increasing activity levels. Schools need to consider the quality of their provision, staff development, inclusion and, importantly, whether improvements will continue to benefit pupils in future years.
The Department for Education updated its PE and Sport Premium guidance in September 2026. For 2026/27, eligible schools with 17 or more pupils receive £6,240 plus £10 per eligible pupil, while schools with 16 or fewer eligible pupils receive £390 per pupil. GOV.UK
So, what should schools consider when planning their provision?
What Should the PE and Sport Premium Achieve?
The government states that the funding should develop or add to a school’s existing PE, sport and physical activity provision. Crucially, schools should also use it to build capacity so that improvements are sustainable and benefit future pupils. GOV.UK
The current guidance identifies five key areas for improvement:
- increasing staff confidence, knowledge and skills in teaching PE and sport;
- increasing pupils’ engagement in regular physical activity;
- raising the profile of PE and sport across the school;
- providing a broader and more equal range of sports and physical activities; and
- increasing participation in competitive sport. GOV.UK
Therefore, the question is not simply “How can we spend our PE funding?”
Instead, schools can ask: “What lasting difference will this investment make to our pupils and staff?”
That distinction matters.
Building PE Provision That Lasts
A strong PE and Sport Premium 2026/27 strategy should look beyond short-term delivery.
For example, continuing professional development can strengthen teachers’ confidence and knowledge. Likewise, carefully planned specialist support can introduce new activities, improve inclusion and help schools develop their existing provision.
Importantly, schools should consider how specialist expertise can complement their own staff rather than simply replacing them.
The latest guidance specifically identifies staff CPD, targeted support for less-active children, specialist support for pupils with additional needs, extra-curricular opportunities and competitive sport among potential uses of the funding. GOV.UK
At ActiveEdge Sports Group, we believe successful school sport provision should leave a positive legacy. That means helping schools create environments where children enjoy movement while staff continue developing the confidence and skills needed to deliver high-quality experiences.
Why High-Quality PE Matters
There is also a bigger picture.
UK Chief Medical Officers recommend that children and young people aged 5–18 average at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day across the week. Physical activity can support confidence, social skills, coordination, concentration, health and fitness. GOV.UK
Yet government figures published in 2026 indicate that fewer than half of young people currently achieve the recommended 60 minutes, with inequalities particularly affecting girls, children with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. GOV.UK
Consequently, schools have an important role in creating positive and inclusive opportunities to be active.
High-quality PE can introduce children to activities they may never otherwise experience. Moreover, an inclusive programme can give less-confident pupils opportunities to succeed rather than allowing sport to become something enjoyed only by the most naturally athletic children.
That is why breadth, progression and inclusion should remain central to PE planning.
Think Beyond the PE Lesson
Excellent school sport provision does not have to end when the lesson finishes.
Active breaktimes, lunchtime activities, clubs, competitions and links with community sport can all help create a more active school culture.
The government’s 2026/27 guidance specifically encourages schools to consider embedding physical activity throughout the school day and providing extra-curricular opportunities. GOV.UK
Furthermore, the direction of national policy is changing. The government announced in May that a new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will replace the existing PE and Sport Premium model, with the new network due to become fully operational in 2027. GOV.UK
Therefore, sustainability and staff capability are particularly important considerations for schools planning ahead.
Planning Your School’s Next Steps
Before deciding how to use the PE and Sport Premium 2026/27, school leaders can start by reviewing their current provision.
Where are the gaps? Which pupils participate least? Do staff need additional training? Is the curriculum broad enough? Are there sufficient opportunities outside lessons? Most importantly, what improvements can realistically be sustained?
Answering those questions can help turn funding into meaningful change rather than isolated activities.
ActiveEdge Sports Group works with schools to support high-quality PE, physical activity and sporting opportunities for young people. Our wider mission is to use sport to positively impact as many young lives as possible. ActiveEdge Sports
If your school is reviewing its PE provision for the 2026/27 academic year, now is an ideal time to consider what is working, where additional support could make a difference and what you want your pupils to gain from PE and school sport.
Because ultimately, successful PE provision isn’t measured only by how much children move today.
It’s about helping them develop the confidence, skills and enthusiasm to stay active tomorrow.
