Government pledge £1 billion investment in school sport to tackle childhood obesity

The government promises that more young people will have access to high quality PE and school sport under the government’s new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network. The goal of this initiative is to bring national sporting expertise into every primary and secondary school to tackle inactivity.

The government pledges to invest over £1 billion into school sport over the next three years. It says this will include funding for the new Partnerships Network, improvements to school sports facilities and support for primary schools. 

Replacing the PE and Sport Premium

The Network is backed by £580 million and set to be fully up and running from Spring 2027. The government have introduced this initiative to replace the existing PE and Sport Premium. Ultimately, it aims to put an end to the one-size fits all model that it says has failed too many children for too long. 

Responding to longstanding calls from schools, a further almost £200 million is set to go towards improving school sporting facilities. The government say this could be used to make facilities more accessible for children with SEND. Additionally, a one-off £100 million PE Premium payment to support primary schools during the transition year has also been promised.

Tackling inactivity and inequality in young people

Less than half of young people get the 60 minutes of activity a day they need, with girls, those with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds impacted the most. By the time children reach the end of primary school, one in five are living with obesity. This statistic stands despite successive governments investing billions through the PE Premium over the past decade. 

A wider vision for education and youth development

The promised shift is part of the government’s wider school reforms. The Education Secretary aims to provide a broader and richer education. Specifically, she says this includes greater emphasis on the importance of sport and music.

Education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: 

“This government was elected to give more children the opportunity to get on – no matter where they live. That starts with a richer school experience: not just academic subjects, but music, art, drama and, of course, sport. 

“School sport builds confidence, belonging and wellbeing: priceless gifts that put kids on the path to getting on in life – and can even uncover the elite sports stars of the future. 

“Yet too many children have been missing out. Our new approach will see every child – across both primary and secondary – more physically active regardless of their circumstances, background, ability or where they go to school.” 

The goal of this new model is to modernise the approach that operated successfully in the early 2000s before being scrapped in 2011 by the then-government. Ofsted recognised in 2011 that School Sport Partnerships improved access, participation and school-club links. 

Sports minister, Stephanie Peacock, said:

“We want every child to be able to enjoy the benefits of sport, both in school and beyond.

“Our new Partnerships Network will not only mean that children get access to high-quality PE lessons, it will also bring in clubs, coaches and sporting bodies to help physical activity become part of their everyday lives.

“Whether it’s setting them on the road to an Olympic or Paralympic dream or simply teeing them up to lead a healthy, active life, getting children engaged in sport and PE early on is vital.”

Delivering change through partnerships and targeted support

The government says a national delivery partner will work alongside national governing bodies to provide a mixture of universal and targeted support to schools based on their needs. The government believes this will directly tackle the activity divide between boys and girls, and disadvantaged pupils and their peers. For example, targeted support could include expert and quality assured coaches, top-up swimming lessons and increased extra-curricular opportunities. The government says the universal offer will also make online training available to all schools, on demand. 

Simon Hayes, Sport England chief executive said:

“We welcome the Government’s continued commitment to school sport and PE, and this investment will help more children and young people experience the many benefits that sport and physical activity can bring.

“This funding, which includes significant investment in facilities, has the potential to create lasting benefits for schools and communities by improving the places where children and young people can get active and enjoy sport, while helping tackle inequalities in access to physical activity.

“Sport England is looking forward to working closely with schools and partners to help ensure this funding creates more opportunities for children and young people to get active, enjoy sport and build confidence through being active.”

Robert Sullivan, CEO, Football Foundation said:

“We welcome today’s announcement from the Department for Education, and the government’s clear recognition of the vital role that sport and physical activity play in young people’s lives.

“Every day, at the Football Foundation, we see first-hand the impact well-funded sports facilities in educational settings can have not just on children, but the whole community. With the support of funding from the Premier League, The FA and the government, we already invest over £20m a year directly into school sports facilities, but we need to do more. Our plans show us that there are almost 400 schools identified as potential sites for further investment including new pitches. Today’s additional funding will support delivering more game changing facilities for young people, ensuring the power of sport can continue to transform communities across the country.”