PE Sport Premium in Bristol
Get In TouchAt PE Sport Premium, we help primary schools across the UK make the most of this vital funding with expert support, tailored programmes, and measurable outcomes.
As physical activity supports learning, wellbeing, and personal development, schools are encouraged to use their PE sport funding strategically
Since Ofsted requires schools to show how the funding impacts pupils, we offer clear tracking, impact reporting, and DfE-aligned delivery models.
What is the PE Sport Premium?
The PE Sport Premium is a ring-fenced funding allocation provided by the UK Government to primary schools in England.
Schools in Bristol are expected to improve the quality of physical education, school sport, and physical activity (PESSPA).
This funding supports the delivery of sustainable improvements in PE provision across both curricular and extracurricular programmes.
Since physical health and well-being are priorities in education, the premium ensures children access high-quality, active experiences throughout the school year.
How much Funding do Schools Receive through the PE Sport Premium?
Schools with 17 or more eligible pupils typically receive £16,000 plus £10 per pupil.
As funding is calculated based on the number of children in Years 1 to 6 (or Reception to Year 6 in some settings), smaller schools with fewer than 17 pupils receive a flat rate of £1,000 per pupil.
The funding must be used for additional and sustainable improvements in PE, sport, and physical activity, aiming to support all pupils and promote active, healthy lifestyles. Schools must spend the full allocation within the academic year.
What are the Benefits of PE Sport Premium?
The PE Sport Premium provides schools in Bristol with additional funding to enhance the quality of PE and sport, improving pupils' health, well-being, and physical activity levels.
The PE and Sport Premium provides several key benefits for primary schools in England:
Improved Physical Activity Levels: Increases opportunities for pupils to engage in daily physical activity, helping to tackle inactivity and improve overall fitness.
Enhanced PE Quality: Supports professional development for teachers, improving the delivery of PE lessons.
Broader Sporting Offer: Enables schools to offer a wider variety of sports and physical activities, increasing pupil engagement.
Inclusive Participation: Helps remove barriers for disadvantaged and less active children to take part in physical activity.
Health and Wellbeing: Contributes to better physical, mental, and social wellbeing among pupils.
Positive Behaviour and Focus: Regular activity is linked to improved behaviour, concentration, and academic performance.
Sustainable Change: Funds can be used to embed long-term improvements in PE provision, ensuring lasting impact beyond the year of funding.
How Schools can Spend the PE and Sport Premium
The PE and Sport Premium is government funding provided to improve the quality of physical education (PE), sport, and physical activity in primary schools across the UK.
Multi-use games areas (MUGAs) can be installed using the funding to provide all-weather, multi-sport spaces. These areas often include line markings, goalposts, and fencing to support games like football, basketball, and netball, enhancing both PE lessons and extracurricular activities.
Daily mile tracks in Bristol are a popular option, encouraging regular physical activity through dedicated walking or running circuits. These tracks help pupils improve cardiovascular fitness, concentration, and overall mental health, while embedding healthy habits in the school day.
Forest school environments can be developed to offer active outdoor learning spaces. The funding can be used to support features like shelters, climbing areas, and nature-based resources that stimulate physical exploration, problem-solving, and balance.
Trim trails offer structured physical challenges such as balance beams, rope climbs, and stepping logs. These help develop agility, strength, coordination, and are suitable for both structured PE and unstructured play, promoting inclusion and skill-building.
Fixed playground equipment such as climbing frames, monkey bars, and rope walks can be funded to improve motor skills and muscular strength. These installations encourage physical activity during breaktimes and contribute to long-term development goals.
Long jump facilities can also be funded, with schools building sand pits and proper run-up tracks to deliver athletic training. This supports the delivery of a broad PE curriculum and prepares pupils for intra- and inter-school competitions.
Playground markings are another effective use of the premium, offering colourful, educational, and active designs like hopscotch, fitness circuits, and number games. These encourage movement, cooperative play, and learning through activity during the school day.
Can Schools Use the PE Sport Premium for PPA Cover?
Schools in Bristol can use the PE Sport Premium to fund qualified coaches or specialists to deliver high-quality PE lessons during teacher PPA time.
This must be part of a broader strategy to enhance teacher confidence and long-term PE delivery.
As sustainability is key, schools are encouraged to use external support as part of a professional development plan, not a permanent replacement for teacher-led PE.
Can the Sports Premium Funding be Used for Equipment or Facilities?
The sports premium funding can be used to purchase PE and sport equipment, or to improve outdoor or indoor spaces for physical activity because these assets contribute to ongoing improvements in provision.
Equipment must be relevant, safe, and linked to clear educational outcomes.
As one of the premium’s goals is to increase pupil participation, investment in resources is a valid use when it supports structured or active play.
How do Schools Report on PE Sport Premium Spending?
Schools must publish details of their PE Sport Premium spending on their website by 31 July each academic year because transparency and accountability are statutory requirements.
Reports should include total funding received, a breakdown of spending, impact measures, and how improvements will be sustained.
Ofsted reviews this information during inspections, reporting must be clear, accurate, and aligned with the DfE template.
Is the PE Sport Premium Available Every Year?
The PE Sport Premium in Bristol is confirmed by the government on an annual basis because funding is subject to national education and health priorities.
While it has been consistently funded since 2013, schools are advised to use the premium for sustainable initiatives in case future allocations change.
Since the policy is regularly reviewed, schools should monitor DfE announcements for updates.
What are the Long-Term Goals of the PE Sport Premium?
The main goals of the PE Sports Premium Funding are to increase participation in sport and physical activity, improve teacher confidence and competence in PE delivery, broaden the range of sports offered, and embed active lifestyles from an early age.
Outcomes contribute to pupil health, well-being, and academic performance.
Since early engagement shapes lifelong habits, the funding is targeted at foundational stages of physical development.
How can Schools Ensure the PE Sport Premium has a Lasting Impact?
Schools can maximise long-term impact of the PE Sports Premium by investing in staff CPD, embedding active play across the timetable, integrating inclusive sports, and working with experienced external providers.
Sustainability depends on knowledge transfer and cultural change.
Resources and programmes should be chosen for long-term relevance and supported by evaluation.
Since funding is time-limited, strategic planning ensures improvements remain after the premium is spent.
Can the PE Sport Premium be Used for Swimming Lessons?
The PE Sports Premium Funding in Bristol can be used to improve swimming provision or top-up lessons because swimming is a statutory requirement by the end of Year 6.
Schools can allocate funding to transport, pool hire, or qualified instructors.
As swimming attainment is monitored nationally, schools often use the premium to ensure more pupils meet the required standard.
Are After-School Sports Clubs Eligible for PE Sport Premium Funding?
After-school clubs that increase participation in physical activity can be funded because the premium supports broader engagement in sport beyond curriculum hours.
Clubs must be inclusive and contribute to long-term pupil health.
Since extended opportunities are part of the government's sport strategy, extracurricular programmes are encouraged.
Can the PE Premium be Spent on Lunchtime or Playtime Activities?
The PE and Sport Premium can be allocated to support lunchtime and playtime activities, provided they contribute to increasing pupils' physical activity levels and align with the fund's aim of promoting healthy, active lifestyles.
Can Staff CPD be Funded by the PE Sport Premium?
Continuous professional development (CPD) for staff is a key focus of the PE Sport Premium because it builds internal capacity and long-term sustainability.
Schools may fund PE-focused training, in-school coaching support, or external CPD workshops.
As teacher confidence directly affects PE quality, CPD is a high-impact area for investment.
Can Schools Use the PE Premium to Enter Sports Competitions?
Schools can allocate Sports Premium Funding for entry fees, transport, and equipment for inter-school competitions because participation in competitive sport is one of the government’s five key indicators.
Since competition supports skill development and engagement, funding this area aligns with national objectives.
Is there a Deadline for Spending the PE Sport Premium?
The PE Sport Premium Funding must be spent in the academic year it is allocated because it is not designed to be carried forward long term.
Schools can carry over unspent funding in certain circumstances, but it must be used by the end of the following financial year.
As timely impact is expected, schools are encouraged to plan and spend strategically.
Can the Premium be Used to Work with External PE Providers?
External PE specialists and coaches can be funded if they enhance provision and upskill staff because this supports long-term development.
External PE providers in Bristol should not permanently replace school staff without professional development outcomes.
Since the goal is sustainability, the focus is on collaborative delivery.
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