October 2024
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This conference examined next steps for sport and PE provision in England.
It was a timely opportunity for policymakers and stakeholders to discuss priorities for policy, following the launch of the new Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review, which aims to deliver a broader curriculum with increased access to subjects such as sport. It also comes with commitments by the Prime Minister before the election to equal access for girls and boys to sport, and curriculum reform to support provision of PE.
Delegates considered the impact of the Children’s Wellbeing Bill, to be introduced to Parliament this year, which will require schools to reduce the number of kit items required for PE in order to reduce barriers to participation for families struggling with costs.
We also expected discussion on the future direction of existing policy, including:
- the School Sport and Activity Action Plan, looking at the way forward for schools and key stakeholders in tackling challenges they face in providing high quality PE and sport
- Enhancing physical education provision and improving access to sport and physical activity in school guidance, which includes examples of high quality provision, and the ways in which schools can remove barriers to participation and build relationships with local and national sporting bodies
Delegates looked at approaches to supporting primary and secondary schools, in line with the Chief Medical Officer’s guideline of at least two hours of sport and PE per week.
Sessions in the agenda looked at tackling barriers to participation of pupils in sport and PE, and latest thinking on reducing inequalities affecting girls, certain ethnic groups, underprivileged children and those with SEND. Delegates discussed best practice for engagement and implementing appropriate adjustments, ways of improving coordination between departments within schools, such as employing Inclusion and Learning Support Teams, and opportunities for forming relationships with sporting bodies and training more female coaches.
Future funding was discussed, including use of the PE and sport premium in primary schools to support aims for daily physical activity, along with issues relating to accountability, with the new mandatory digital tool introduced for reporting use of pupil premium funding. Delegates also discussed the long-term funding model for sport and PE in schools, with a commitment to funding through the premium until the end of the 2024-25 academic year.
Areas for discussion included:
- policy priorities: the new Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review - increasing access to sport - next steps for provision in England’s schools - the way forward for boosting high quality PE and sport - boosting participation
- funding: the use of pupil premium funding and school accountability - funding of sporting facilities
- delivery: curriculum design and standards - timetable scheduling for PE - effective assessment methods - implementation of recently published government guidance - examples of best practice
- provision: opportunities and challenges for raising sport and PE standards in schools - improving extra-curricular activity offers outside school hours
- inclusion:
- engaging under-represented groups - appropriate adjustments for young people with SEND and coordination between school departments
- building upon successes, such as the boost to girls playing football and young people engaging in walking, cycling and using scooters for travel
- collaboration:
- promoting multi-agency coordination and best practice across schools and the wider sports sector
- specialist training for teachers - post-16 sport and progression pathways for those studying sport
- impact: latest thinking on how physical activity supports the health, mental wellbeing, confidence and behaviour of children and young people
All delegates were able to contribute, alongside key policy officials, to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. Those that attended include officials from DCMS; DHSC; and CMA.
