The PE and Sport Premium changes for 2026/27 mark a significant shift in how schools across England will access support for physical education, school sport and physical activity.
The government is replacing the existing Primary PE and Sport Premium with a new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, extending dedicated support to secondary schools as well as primary schools.
For primary schools, 2026/27 is a transition year. The government has confirmed £150 million in transitional PE and Sport Premium funding for the academic year, while the new Partnerships Network is expected to begin delivering support from April 2027.
The government is also maintaining around £1 billion of investment in PE and school sport over three years as it moves to the new model.
So, what do the PE and Sport Premium changes in 2026/27 mean for schools, and how can you continue delivering high-quality PE and school sport during the transition?
What Is Happening to the PE and Sport Premium?
The PE and Sport Premium has supported primary schools across England for more than a decade, helping schools improve PE, school sport and physical activity.
That funding model is now being replaced.
The new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network is designed to connect schools with specialist sporting expertise, local sports providers and national governing bodies. It will provide a combination of universal support and more targeted support based on schools’ needs.
The new approach will also extend dedicated support to secondary schools, creating a broader national framework for PE and school sport.
The government has highlighted the need to improve access to physical activity for pupils who face greater barriers to participation, including girls, pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils.
For schools, the key point is simple: PE and school sport remain a priority, but the way schools access funding and support is changing.
PE and Sport Premium Funding for 2026/27
The 2026/27 academic year is a transition period between the existing PE and Sport Premium and the new Partnerships Network.
The government has confirmed £150 million of PE and Sport Premium funding for primary schools in 2026/27 to support schools through the transition. Individual funding allocations are expected to be published in autumn 2026.
The new Partnerships Network is expected to begin delivering support from April 2027.
This means schools need to think about both their immediate PE requirements and their longer-term approach to PE, sport and physical activity.
School leaders may therefore be asking:
- How much PE funding will our school receive in 2026/27?
- How should we plan our PE budget?
- How can we maintain high-quality PE during the transition?
- Should we commit to a longer-term coaching contract?
- How can we improve teacher confidence and subject knowledge?
- How can we increase participation among less-active pupils?
- What will the new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network mean for our school?
With the new model still being developed, flexibility will be particularly important during the transition.
What Do the 2026 PE and Sport Premium Changes Mean for Schools?
Although the funding model is changing, schools can continue to focus on the fundamentals of effective PE and school sport.
1. Continue Investing in High-Quality PE
High-quality PE should remain at the centre of your school’s physical activity strategy.
Effective PE is about more than having a coach deliver a lesson. It should give pupils opportunities to develop physical skills, confidence, teamwork and a positive attitude towards physical activity.
External sports coaches for schools can complement teachers’ existing expertise by bringing specialist knowledge into the classroom while helping staff develop their own skills and confidence.
The priority should be sustainable PE provision that delivers meaningful benefits for both pupils and staff.
2. Develop Teacher Confidence Through PE CPD
One of the most valuable ways to use external school PE coaching is to support teacher development.
Rather than simply delivering lessons independently, coaches can work alongside teachers to:
- Demonstrate activities and teaching approaches
- Support lesson planning
- Introduce new sports and activities
- Develop teacher confidence
- Share practical ideas and resources
- Deliver practical PE CPD for teachers
This approach allows schools to benefit from specialist expertise while building greater internal capacity.
Over time, that can lead to stronger and more consistent PE delivery across the school.
3. Build Stronger School Sport Partnerships
The new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network places greater emphasis on connecting schools with sporting organisations, local providers and national governing bodies.
Schools can also benefit from developing relationships with trusted external coaching providers and community sports organisations.
These partnerships can create clearer pathways from:
School PE → Extra-Curricular Sport → Community Sport
For pupils, that can mean more opportunities to discover activities they enjoy and continue participating in beyond the school day.
4. Improve Inclusion and Participation
The government’s new approach places particular emphasis on pupils who are less active or face greater barriers to participation. This includes girls, pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils.
For schools, that means looking beyond participation numbers and asking whether their existing PE and sports programme is genuinely reaching the whole school.
Simply offering more sport does not guarantee broader participation.
Schools should consider:
- Are less-active pupils engaged?
- Are activities accessible to pupils with different abilities?
- Are girls being offered opportunities that encourage sustained participation?
- Are pupils with SEND appropriately supported?
- Are there opportunities for children who do not naturally see themselves as “sporty”?
- Are lunchtime and after-school activities reaching a broad range of pupils?
High-quality, inclusive coaching can help remove barriers, build confidence and create more positive experiences of physical activity.
Flexible School PE Coaching During a Period of Change
Changes to school sports funding can make longer-term planning more difficult.
Schools may be reluctant to commit to lengthy contracts while further details about the future funding model are being confirmed.
At Elite Youth Sports, we understand that schools need high-quality coaching that can adapt to changing priorities, budgets and requirements.
That’s why we offer flexible school PE coaching options built around each school’s needs.
Rather than taking a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach, we can work with your school to identify its priorities and develop a programme around them.
Flexible PE Coaching Contracts
If you’re uncertain about your longer-term PE budget, flexible arrangements can give your school greater room to adapt as the funding landscape changes.
This can be particularly useful during the transition to the new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network.
Qualified Sports Coaches for Schools
Elite Youth Sports provides access to fully qualified sports coaches who bring specialist knowledge and practical experience into schools.
Our coaches can support curriculum PE, extra-curricular activities and wider school sport programmes.
PE Teacher Development and CPD
External coaching does not have to mean handing PE delivery over to a provider.
Our coaches can work alongside teachers to demonstrate activities, share practical expertise and develop staff confidence.
This allows schools to benefit from specialist coaching while continuing to strengthen their own internal PE expertise.
Extra-Curricular Sports Clubs
A school’s sports offer extends beyond curriculum PE.
We can support schools with:
- After-school clubs
- Lunchtime activities
- Multi-sport programmes
- Inter-school tournaments
- Specialist sports coaching
- Targeted activities
- Additional sporting opportunities
These activities can help pupils discover new sports, stay active and develop a more positive relationship with physical activity.
How Can Schools Prepare for the PE and Sport Premium Changes?
The transition provides schools with an opportunity to review their existing PE provision and identify where additional support could make the biggest difference.
What Is Working Well?
Identify the parts of your current PE and sports programme that are delivering positive outcomes for pupils and staff.
Where Are the Gaps?
Review curriculum PE, teacher confidence, extra-curricular opportunities, competition and participation among less-active pupils.
What Support Do Teachers Need?
Consider whether external PE coaching or CPD could help staff develop their confidence, practical skills and subject knowledge.
Are All Pupils Being Reached?
Review participation across different groups and consider whether your programme is accessible, inclusive and engaging for the whole school.
Is Your Provision Financially Flexible?
With the funding landscape changing, review whether your existing arrangements give your school enough flexibility to adapt.
How Elite Youth Sports Can Help
At Elite Youth Sports, we understand that schools are navigating a changing financial and policy environment.
Our aim is to provide flexible, high-quality coaching that supports your school’s individual PE and sports strategy.
We can support schools with:
- Weekly PE coaching
- Specialist sports coaching
- Teacher CPD and development
- Lunchtime activities
- After-school clubs
- Inter-school tournaments
- Multi-sport programmes
- Targeted activities for less-active pupils
- Wider PE and school sport support
Every school is different.
Some schools may need regular weekly coaching, while others may benefit from specialist support, teacher development, competitions or targeted activities at specific points throughout the year.
We can work with you to develop a programme that fits your school’s needs, priorities and budget.
Planning Your School’s PE Provision for 2026/27?
The PE and Sport Premium changes for 2026/27 represent an important transition for schools across England.
Primary schools will receive £150 million in transitional PE and Sport Premium funding for 2026/27, while the new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network is expected to begin delivering support from April 2027.
The funding model is changing, but the importance of high-quality PE, sport and physical activity remains.
Schools can use this transition period to review their existing provision, identify gaps and consider where specialist coaching, teacher development or extra-curricular opportunities could strengthen their offer.
At Elite Youth Sports, we can support your school with flexible coaching options, qualified coaches and a programme built around your school’s needs.
Flexible coaching. High-quality coaches. A programme built around your school.
Email Elite Youth Sports to discuss your school’s PE and sports requirements.
Explore our school PE coaching services
Frequently Asked Questions
Important Funding Update
Funding arrangements and government guidance are subject to change. Schools should check the latest Department for Education guidance and their individual funding information before making financial commitments. The information in this article reflects government information available in September 2026.
