The PE and sport premium is a government grant provided to primary schools in England to improve the quality of physical education (PE) and sport for all pupils. The main purpose of the funding is to make additional and sustainable improvements to the PE and sport that schools already offer.
At Huntington Primary, our PE and sport premium grant was spent across three main areas: CPD, internal activities, and external activities.
For Continuing Professional Development (CPD), we invested in a mix of external training courses and internal learning and development. We also brought in external coaches to support the development of teaching staff skills and provide up to date resources and strategies.
Our internal activities included a wide variety of initiatives. We spent money on extra-curricular opportunities, sports competitions, and additional swimming lessons. Funds were also used to purchase new equipment and resources, pay for membership fees, and access educational platforms and resources.
Finally, we allocated a portion of the grant to external activities, specifically for events organised by the Pathfinder Sports Partnership.
The funding has positive and widespread impact on our pupils across several key areas.
Firstly, the funding has increased the engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity and sport. This has been achieved by offering a broader and more equal experience of a range of sports and physical activities. We have also successfully increased participation in competitive sports and extra-curricular activities.
Moreover, the spending has been specifically targeted to improve opportunities for all pupils. The school has provided or improved opportunities for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) through specialist coaches, training, and activities. Girls’ access to PE and sport has also been increased through specialist focused activities and support for extra-curricular participation. Additionally, the funding has benefited disadvantaged pupils by subsidising some after-school clubs.
Finally, the reports show a positive impact on the attainment of pupils in PE, and a significant improvement in swimming and water safety. With 78% of the current Year 6 cohort able to swim competently and confidently over 25 metres, and a positive impact on swimming attainment reported, the funding is having a measurable and direct benefit on pupils’ essential life skills.