£750m boost for primary school sport
- £150m a year primary school sport funding guaranteed until 2020 to secure Olympic and Paralympic legacy.
Prime Minister David Cameron has today committed to keeping the £150m a year Primary PE and Sport Premium until 2020. The dedicated fund, which was announced in March 2013 and began in September, goes directly to primary school head teachers so that they can decide how best to use it to provide sporting activities for pupils. A typical primary school with 250 primary aged pupils this year received £9,250, the equivalent of around two days a week of a primary teacher or a coach's time - enough to make sure every pupil in the school can do sport with a specialist.
The Government has committed to funding the Primary PE and Sport Premium until 2015-6. David Cameron has now committed to continue that funding until 2020, which means at least £750m going straight to head teachers across a five year Parliament.
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
"Sport is so important because it encourages children to be active, lead a healthy lifestyle, make friends and, of course, have fun. But quality school sport has benefits that spread right across the curriculum and beyond - it develops confidence and a sense of achievement, it teaches young people how to rise to a challenge, and nurtures the character and skills that will help them get on and succeed in life. It's an important part of our long-term plan to deliver the best schools and skills for young people. That is why I am committing to guarantee the primary school sports funding until 2020."
Prime Minister's Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Ambassador Lord Coe said:
"I am delighted that the Prime Minister has made this commitment to continue to invest in school sport until 2020. We wanted to use London 2012 to inspire a generation to choose sport and ensuring that children get a positive and engaging experience in primary school of physical education and sport is key to this. A long term commitment to continue this funding can only help to achieve this."
Children's Minister Edward Timpson said:
"This significant commitment will secure the future of sport in primary schools for the rest of this decade. I'm proud of our work to secure the Olympic Legacy and I'm determined to ensure all children have the chance to play sport and keep fit at school."
Sports Minister Helen Grant said:
"The School Sport Premium is vitally important if we're going to ensure that children are physically active and excited about sport at primary school. This funding provides the foundations which will allow children to develop a sporting habit for life, a crucial part of our Olympic and Paralympic Legacy."
Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock said:
"Giving all kids an opportunity to be involved in sport is so important and something I am committed to, not to mention giving them a good experience of PE and sport at primary school. I welcome this commitment to long term funding for the school sports premium."
(Edited from the Downing Street press release)
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) believes a positive experience in PE and school sport plays a critical role in shaping life-long participation and access to sporting pathways for all young people. While there is undoubtedly some outstanding practice of inclusive provision in physical education and school sport, we need to aspire towards high quality provision for all.
EFDS's recent lifestyle research report revealed that over half of disabled people did not enjoy school sport. Barry Horne, Chief Executive of EFDS, said:
Four out of five disabled people are not active in sport – most say “sport is not for me". When we ask why, many will share that it never really was. With an increasing majority of disabled children taught in mainstream schools (as opposed to special schools) any lasting legacy of increased sporting participation must be built on the solid foundations of an enjoyable and inspirational school sport experience.
The investment announced today compliments EFDS's work through the Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All Inclusive PE programme. Alongside delivery partners Youth Sport Trust, we will be working hard to support both trainee teachers and established teaching networks to embed inclusive practices within their curriculum delivery. For more information on this programme, please visit our resources.
EFDS is the national body, dedicated to disabled people in sport and physical activity throughout England. Our partnerships build on our vision that disabled people are active for life.
