Primary school children in England will receive higher quality PE lessons and better sport opportunities according to the Education Secretary. Backed by a £320 million investment, the PE and Sport Premium will encourage children to play more sport. Plus, increase their social skills and improve their physical activity after lockdown. Schools will also be able to improve the quality of their teaching and make longer-term, sustainable changes to their lessons.
Commenting is Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson. “I am pleased to announce that we will continue to fund the PE and Sport Premium next year, so primary schools can continue to prioritise children’s physical wellbeing alongside education recovery.
“Children’s physical health has never been more important. I am proud that this investment will build on our actions across government to support this activity; including through our School Sport and Activity Action Plan, and our £10.1 million investment helping school sport facilities and swimming pools.
“The funding for the next academic year can be used by schools alongside any money left over from the PE and Sport Premium grant this year or last. These underspends can be used by schools until 31 July 2022. They will help them to prioritise physical activities, sport and physical education with mental health and wellbeing support, or education catch up and tutoring.”
This £320 million package will give primary schools the funding they need to keep the next generation fit and active.
The funding builds on the ambitious School Sport and Activity Action Plan, which will receive an update later this year. The Government is working closely with the sector to improve children’s and young people’s physical activity, including through investment; building on core content for physical activity in the health and relationships school curriculum; and working across the sector to produce targeted videos, guidance and support to continue to prioritise PE, sport and physical activity.
Ali Oliver MBE, CEO of the Youth Sport Trust, adds; “The confirmation of the Primary PE and Sport Premium is such welcome news. This investment and the opportunities it will support should be recognised as an important contributor to our national recovery. Not only will it help accelerate young people’s physical recovery but it should also bring fun, enjoyment and reconnection, as well as supporting their re-engagement in the classroom.
“There is huge demand from schools, parents, carers and young people for more opportunities to be active and get outdoors, as well as a growing consensus on the need for PE and sport to be positioned at the core of the curriculum. This funding should help many primary schools to improve provision of PE and sport and develop teachers’ confidence to deliver it.”
