Good News for Primary Schools
Along with primary schools across England, we welcome the news that the government has confirmed the PE and Sport Premium funding for the 2025–26 school year! With confirmation of funding for another year secured, schools will be able to continue benefiting from this investment in physical education and sport.
What Schools Need to Know
The PE and Sport Premium is a ring-fenced grant designed to help schools make additional and sustainable improvements to the quality of the PE, sport, and physical activity they provide. The funding must be used to support five key indicators:
- The engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity
- The profile of PE and sport being raised across the school as a tool for whole-school improvement
- Increased confidence, knowledge, and skills of all staff in teaching PE and sport
- Broader experience of a range of sports and activities offered to all pupils
- Increased participation in competitive sport
How We Can Support Your Setting
While the PE and Sport Premium cannot be used to directly fund staff salaries, it can be used by schools strategically to support the training and development of staff through apprenticeships, particularly where these roles enhance and expand the school’s existing PE and sport provision.
We can support you with:
Upskilling Existing Staff: The premium can be used to fund continuing professional development (CPD) for staff to increase their confidence, knowledge, and skills in teaching PE and sporting activities. Apprenticeships, such as a Level 3 Teaching Assistant with a PE, Health, and Wellbeing focus, or a Level 4 Sports Coach qualification, provide structured, accredited training that will build long-term capability within your school.
Building Capacity and Sustainability: Hire and train a new PE Teaching Assistant to build internal capacity and ensure that improvements to your PE provision are sustainable, benefiting pupils for years to come. Apprentices can support your setting in delivering extra-curricular activities such as after-school clubs or competitions, supporting active lunchtimes, as well as assisting in the classroom under the guidance of teaching staff.
Why Choose an Apprenticeship and ESF?
- Apprenticeships can be funded through the apprenticeship levy and therefore offer a cost-effective solution, as most settings won’t pay an additional training cost. Looking for further information about funding? Please see our dedicated webpage on the Apprenticeship Levy.
- An Apprentice will bring fresh energy and a willingness to learn; they’ll become valuable role models for your pupils and valued members of your team.
- PE Apprentices can significantly increase the range and quality of sporting opportunities available to pupils, particularly for those who are least active or have specific needs.
As a company founded by teachers, we understand the challenges you face.
We are known for our caring approach, expertise and additional SEND training (due to our partnership with our sister company, Real Training). We can support you in planning your PE, Health and Wellbeing provision, training PE Teaching Assistants and equipping them with a broad range of skills to ensure every child has a positive enriching experience of sport and physical activity.
Contact us and find out how we can support your school to hire a new apprentice or upskill current staff.
Find out more
Want to know how a PE apprentice could benefit your school? Get in touch and explore how we can support your school can get involved.
Call us: 01784 222300
Email: info@esfapprenticeships.co.uk
Explore our PE, Health and Wellbeing apprenticeships