It’s been a really difficult start to the new school year and we are sure that you are juggling many plates at the moment. We wanted to highlight the PE Grant, which we are sure is not at the top of the list, but important none the less. Due to COVID and the closure of schools except for key worker children, schools are finding their budgeted expenditure for the PE grant for 19/20 and has not gone to plan. Although the Government has agreed that any unspent funds from the 19/20 allocations can be carried forward into the next academic year, they do have to be spent by 31st March 2021. Some of the usual items we would expect to see financed through the grant, such as teacher training and specialist teachers are not practical whilst schools are very busy dealing with the restrictions imposed on them due to COVID.
The DfE are recommending prioritising physical activity, to improved mental wellbeing and educational attainment and the DfE recognise the importance that children continue to remain fit and active, wherever possible, and have the 60 minutes of daily physical activity recommended by the Chief Medical Officers. The DfE are encouraging schools to prioritise physical activity as they welcome more children back to school.
The PE and Sports Premium is a ring-fenced grant for primary schools for children from Year 1 to Year 6.
Just a reminder that any use of the PE and sport premium should continue to support at least one of the key indicators:-
- Engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity
- Profile of PE and sport is raised across the school as a tool for whole-school improvement
- Increased confidence, knowledge and skills of all staff in teaching PE and sport
- Increased participation in competitive sport
- Broader experience of a range of sports and activities offered to all pupils
You should not use your funding to:-
- employ coaches or specialist teachers to cover PPA.
- teach the minimum requirements of the national curriculum (except top-up swimming lessons )
- fund capital expenditure (£2,000 in Herts Schools)
To try and help schools with planning their expenditure we have gathered together a list of suggestions:
- Online streaming classes
- Online resources – software, subscriptions (Complete PE) (Get Set 4 PE)
- Membership of Youth Sports Trust or Association of Physical Education both have lots of resources
Membership of Youth Sports Trust, this site contains lots of information about membership and resources along with post COVID advice for schools.
| Year | Core | Plus | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 | £210 | £525 | £1155 |
Association for Physical Education membership costs also vary dependent on pupil numbers:
| Below 100 pupils | 101-300 pupils | 301-600 pupils | 601-850 pupils | 850+ pupils |
| £63 | £95 | £115 | £152 | £204 |
| Below 100 pupils and PESP £128 |
101-300 pupils and PESP £160 |
301-600 pupils and PESP £180 |
601-850 pupils and PESP £217 |
850+ pupils and PESP £269 |
- local sports partnerships
- new PE Scheme of work (e.g. TOP PE)
- online workshops – healthy eating and activities
Focus on outdoor activities:-
- improvements to outside areas
- creative playground markings
- The Daily Mile (sign up free)
- playground equipment
- outdoor adventurous challenges – i.e. scavenger hunts
- renewing / New PE equipment (Yoga mats)
- engagement of parents (walk to school initiatives)
- cycling (cycle to school week / workshops for repairs / subsidised helmets and hi vis) https://bikeability.org.uk/
- more diverse sports activities (consider Yoga or Tai Chi)
- CPD for teachers
- fund a PE lead, responsible for upskilling other teachers – succession planning
- extra-curricular dance teachers
- specific teacher/TA for PE to support staff
- lunchtime sports coaches for playground activities
- development of sports leaders
