Primary schools in England are set to lose out as Labour replaces a £320m annual PE and sports premium with a new scheme worth £193m a year, representing a cut of around 40%. The Department for Education (DfE) confirmed the existing grant, which was intended to cement the 2012 Olympic legacy, will be scrapped and replaced by a 'sport partnerships network' covering both primary and secondary schools, fully operational from spring 2027.
Headteachers and school leaders have greeted the announcement with scepticism. Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, expressed concern about removing an established funding stream and replacing it with an initiative that lacks clarity. Leora Cruddas, chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, said the lack of detail was unhelpful for schools already planning for next year, and urged the government to delay implementation until September 2027.
The change will affect 4.5 million primary pupils and over 3 million secondary students. The DfE disputed the extent of the cuts, noting additional capital funding of nearly £200m for sports facilities and a one-off transition payment of £100m for primary schools. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the new approach would ensure all children are more physically active regardless of background or ability.
This marks the third time in 20 years that school sport policy has shifted direction. The last Labour government created a national sports network, which was scrapped by the coalition in 2010. The 2012 Olympic legacy grant was launched by David Cameron to foster future Olympians. The new scheme will involve a delivery partner providing universal and targeted support, including swimming lessons and extracurricular activities.
