Call for clarity on £320m funding for primary school PE

The Youth Sport Trust has written a letter to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson calling for urgent clarity on the future of the Primary PE and Sport Premium - the £320 million annual fund used by primary schools in England to support and improve their delivery of Physical Education.

Schools are still waiting to hear from government whether there will be a PE & Sport Premium for the 20/21.

The letter from Ali Oliver, Chief Executive at the Youth Sport Trust, said that recent data showed that almost one in three children have been less physically active during lockdown and one in ten have done no physical activity at all.
 
Oliver says: "It is essential that there is a public narrative about the importance of children’s health and wellbeing, and that schools are being encouraged and resourced to deliver the very best and most inclusive programme of Physical Education and sport. The uncertainty over whether this vital £320 million fund will continue just weeks from the end of this academic year is actively undermining the ability of primary schools to plan their provision from September.

"At a time of so much uncertainty, the confirmation of the primary PE and Sport Premium would not only send a message about the importance of young people’s health and wellbeing at this time but will also help schools do the very best for children."