PE and Sport Premium 2025/26: How Schools Can Maximise the Funding to Inspire Pupils
With the Primary PE and Sport Premium confirmed for 2025/26, now is the perfect time for schools to start planning how best to use this vital funding. PE and sport have the power to transform children’s health, wellbeing, and confidence. With the right opportunities, pupils can discover a lifelong love of being active.
At Inspirational Athletes, we believe one of the most powerful ways to inspire children is by connecting them with real sporting role models. Athlete visits not only spark enthusiasm for PE but also encourage resilience, teamwork, and determination in everyday school life.
Read on to find out what the funding means for your school, and how an athlete visit could help you make the biggest impact.
Primary PE and Sport Premium Funding Confirmed for 2025/26
The Department for Education has confirmed that the Primary PE and Sport Premium will continue for the 2025/26 academic year, with £320 million allocated to support schools across England. Funding will be allocated in two instalments, Autumn 2025 and Spring 2026, giving schools the confidence to plan for the year ahead.
What this means for schools
The funding is designed to help primary schools deliver high-quality physical education and opportunities for pupils to be active every day. In practice, it can support schools to:
• Ensure pupils access at least two hours of PE each week, alongside activities that contribute to the recommended 60 minutes of daily exercise.
• Invest in training and professional development for teachers, raising the quality of PE lessons.
• Provide new or improved extracurricular opportunities, such as after-school clubs, inter-school competitions, or specialist coaching. Inviting an Inspirational Athlete into school instantly energises pupils, making sport feel exciting, tangible, and achievable.
• Develop sustainable approaches so that physical activity is embedded in school life for the long term.
Why it matters
The benefits of sport and physical activity go well beyond fitness. For primary-aged children, being active supports:
• Physical health, balance, and coordination.
• Mental wellbeing, resilience, and confidence.
• Social skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership.
Research continues to show that children who are active are more engaged in the classroom, develop better concentration, and build habits that last into adulthood.
Having an athlete share their journey can inspire children to see PE in a new light, boosting enthusiasm and participation. Athlete visits don’t just encourage pupils to move more, they also provide powerful role models who speak honestly about resilience, confidence, and overcoming challenges.
Looking ahead
The continuation of the Primary PE and Sport Premium is an important commitment to supporting the next generation’s health and wellbeing. For schools, it provides the chance to strengthen their PE provision, enrich the school day with activity, and create opportunities that will leave a lasting impact on pupils’ lives.
Schools can use this funding to not only boost PE provision but also to inspire children in unforgettable ways. Booking an Inspirational Athlete is a simple, impactful step that leaves pupils motivated to get active and embrace sport with enthusiasm.
We’d love to chat about how an athlete visit could support your school’s PE and Sport Premium goals.
Get in touch with the team at Inspirational Athletes to find out more.