{"id":247251,"date":"2026-06-04T23:00:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T22:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schoolsweek.co.uk\/?p=247251"},"modified":"2026-06-04T23:08:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T22:08:32","slug":"schools-expect-cuts-to-pe-provision-after-funding-shake-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/schoolsweek.co.uk\/schools-expect-cuts-to-pe-provision-after-funding-shake-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Schools expect cuts to PE provision after funding shake up"},"content":{"rendered":"

Schools expect to cut coaching staff and SEND-inclusive provision following the government<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s decision to scrap the primary PE and sport premium.<\/span><\/p>\n

Leaders are having to rethink budgets <\/span>\u2013 <\/span>including commitments they have already made <\/span>\u2013 <\/span>following the announcement the government will instead fund a new partnerships network model run by a national supplier.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Department for Education<\/a> made the announcement just before half term, angering school leaders and casting already-set budgets into doubt. The new partnerships network will run from next spring.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the current PE and sport premium provides <\/span>\u00a3<\/span>320 million per year direct to schools, the DfE said the network <\/span>would<\/span> receive <\/span>\u00a3<\/span>580 million over seven terms. It means annual funding for the replacement scheme is 22 per cent less than the premium.<\/span><\/p>\n

The new partnerships network will also have to support primary and secondary schools, whereas the premium only funds primary school PE. <\/span><\/p>\n

Schools North East, which represents all schools in the region, surveyed more than 150 leaders to ask about the impact of the changes. <\/span><\/p>\n

It found 65 per cent of schools expected to have to reduce coaching staff, while 46 per cent expect<\/span>ed <\/span>cuts to extra-curricular clubs and teams. Thirty-nine per cent <\/span>forecast <\/span>cuts to competitive fixtures. <\/span><\/p>\n

A third said they<\/span> also<\/span> expected cuts to SEND-inclusive provision. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018<\/span>Not a luxury<\/span>\u2019 <\/span><\/h2>\n

Chris Zarraga, <\/span>d<\/span>irector of Schools North East, said the decision “risks taking opportunities away from the children who need them most<\/span>\u201d<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>For many young people across the north east, particularly those growing up in disadvantaged communities, school provides their main access to sport, physical activity and enrichment experiences. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>These opportunities are not a luxury <\/span>\u2013 <\/span>they are fundamental to children’s health, wellbeing and development.<\/span><\/p>\n

“What concerns school leaders most is not only the scale of the reduction in funding, but the speed at which it has been announced and the lack of clarity about what comes next.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

He urged the government to listen to schools and ensure that the new model preserve<\/span>d the<\/span> funding and flexibility that schools need<\/span>ed<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

One headteacher who took part in the survey said the premium was a <\/span>\u201c<\/span>critical resource<\/span>\u201d<\/span>, and that future policy <\/span>\u201c<\/span>must prioritise the children<\/span>\u201d<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>[W]e allocate every penny to secure high-quality provision that directly targets our pupils’ physical health and SEMH [social, emotional and mental health] needs. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Withdrawing this essential funding will have a severe, adverse impact on the future well-being of our students.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Under the current system<\/a>, schools are given money directly to spend on PE provision, based on the number <\/span>of <\/span>pupils they have in years 1 to 6.<\/span><\/p>\n

The survey found that 78 per cent of schools in <\/span>the <\/span>north east <\/span>used the \u00a0money for <\/span>extra-curricular clubs and sports teams. <\/span><\/p>\n

Seventy-two per cent said they spent the money on external coaching contracts<\/span>, while 69 per cent spent it on <\/span>equipment and kit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sixty-seven per cent reported using the money for continuing professional development (CPD) for staff, while half used it for SEND-inclusive sport and equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n

The change means a national delivery partner will work with national governing bodies to provide targeted support based on the needs of schools <\/span>\u2013 <\/span>such as top-up swimming lessons and extra sports clubs where there is local demand. <\/span><\/p>\n

Schools will also be able to access a universal offer, which will include online training.<\/span><\/p>\n

The DfE will also provide <\/span>\u00a3<\/span>200 million in capital funding for school sports facilities and a one-off <\/span>\u00a3<\/span>100 million for schools to help them transition to the new system.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018<\/span>Leaders must rethink budgets<\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/h2>\n

R<\/span>esponses to the survey show leaders concerned about not being able to plan ahead<\/span> as<\/span> the announcement <\/span>was<\/span> made mid-budget cycle, and that they had already committed to staffing and external partnerships on the basis that the premium would continue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other responses raised concerns about the ability of centralised partnerships to replicate bespoke support for SEND and vulnerable pupils, as well as the impact a demand-led model could have on disadvantaged pupils.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

James Bowen, <\/span>the <\/span>assistant general secretary for <\/span>the <\/span>schoo<\/span>l leader<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s union NAHT, said many <\/span>member<\/span>s were having to rethink their long-term budget planning, including commitments that may have already been made.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>While the government has said this will be replaced with <\/span>\u2018<\/span>network partnerships<\/span>\u2019 <\/span>that schools will be able to access, leaders are understandably questioning whether that will offer the same level of provision as existing arrangements and how accessible such networks will be across the country.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Schools North East <\/span>survey <\/span>found that three quarters of schools had already committed to contracts in relation to the PE premium for the next year, with most costing between <\/span>\u00a3<\/span>10,000 and <\/span>\u00a3<\/span>20,000. <\/span><\/p>\n

Leora Cruddas, <\/span>the <\/span>chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, said: “[M]any trusts will already have begun planning for next year, so cutting funding at this point and a lack of clarity over the replacement scheme is unhelpful.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She added that<\/span> the confederation<\/span> would urge the government to delay the implementation until September <\/span>next year<\/span> \u201c<\/span>so that this can be properly planned for<\/span>\u201d<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>This would also help the sector understand how support can be extended to 3.6<\/span>m<\/span>illion<\/span> secondary school pupils at what looks like significantly reduced annual funding.”<\/span><\/p>\n

PE curriculum time still falling<\/h2>\n

New data published today shows that curriculum time for PE is continuing to fall.<\/p>\n

Since 2012 the amount has reduced from 8.6 per cent to 7.3 per cent, while subjects like maths, English and computer science have seen increases in curriculum time.<\/p>\n

One of the key findings from the Youth Sport Trust\u2019s annual PE report, which is set to be published next week, is that only 57 per cent of teachers say their school delivers the recommended minimum of two hours of PE each week.<\/p>\n

It also found\u00a0that PE is the most frequently cancelled subject in schools.<\/p>\n

Ali Oliver, Youth Sport Trust CEO, said: \u201cFor years there has been a gradual erosion of PE’s place within the curriculum – once again we are sounding a warning bell and calling for change.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSchools have a unique role to play helping children to move more and build the social and cultural capital that comes from sport, but they need the incentive, capacity and local support networks to help them.\u201d<\/p>\n

She added that they were optimistic about the new partnerships network, and \u201clook forward continuing to identify and disseminate effective practices\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Speedy introduction of a new partnerships network is forcing leaders to rethink budgets<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":316072,"featured_media":247153,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[349,449],"post-theme":[2425],"class_list":["post-247251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-curriculum","tag-school-funding","post-theme-school-funding"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t