The PE and Sport Premium Grant is a crucial funding stream for primary schools. It aims to enhance the quality of physical education (PE), sport and physical activity for pupils. This grant is part of the Government’s commitment to ensure children lead healthy and active lives. With recent updates to the accountability and reporting requirements, including the introduction of a new digital form, schools must stay informed to ensure compliance and optimal use of funds.
Accountability and reporting requirements
Primary schools receiving the PE and Sport Premium Grant are obligated to adhere to stringent accountability and reporting standards. The primary objective is to ensure transparency and demonstrate how the grant is enhancing PE and sport within schools.
Key requirements include:
- Annual reporting: Schools must publish details of how they spend their PE and Sport Premium funding by the end of the academic year. This should include the amount received, a breakdown of expenditure, and the impact on pupils’ PE and sport participation and attainment.
- Sustainability: Schools need to illustrate how improvements will be sustainable in the long term. This involves showing how initiatives will benefit current and future pupils.
- New digital reporting form: This year, a new digital form has been introduced to streamline the reporting process. While it is currently optional, it will become mandatory for next year. The form is designed to facilitate accurate and comprehensive reporting, ensuring all schools adhere to the required standards.
Common challenges in spending the grant
While the PE and Sport Premium Grant is a significant resource, primary schools often face challenges in aligning their spending with the specific terms and conditions. Two notable areas where difficulties arise include:
Outdoor play equipment
Schools frequently aim to enhance outdoor play areas, recognising the importance of active play in children’s physical development. However, spending on outdoor play equipment must meet certain criteria to be considered appropriate use of the grant. Common challenges include:
- Relevance to PE and sport: Ensuring that the outdoor play equipment directly supports PE and sport can be tricky. Equipment must be used during PE lessons or for structured physical activities to qualify.
- Evidence of impact: Schools need to provide clear evidence that the equipment is enhancing physical activity levels and contributing to pupils’ physical development.
Capital expenditure
The PE and Sport Premium Grant is not intended for capital expenditure, which can be a source of confusion and challenge for schools. Capital expenditure refers to spending on assets that provide long-term benefits, such as building or large-scale refurbishment projects. Challenges include:
- Distinguishing between expenditure types: Schools must carefully differentiate between consumable resources and capital expenditure. For example, purchasing a set of sports kits is acceptable, whereas funding the construction of a new sports hall is not.
- Justifying spend: Even for allowable items, schools need to justify how the expenditure supports the grant’s aims and demonstrate its immediate impact on pupils’ physical activity.
Best practices for effective use of the grant
To maximise the impact of the PE and Sport Premium Grant and ensure compliance with its terms, schools should consider the following best practices:
- Strategic planning: Develop a clear plan that aligns with the school’s overall PE and sport objectives. Involve staff, pupils, and the community in identifying needs and priorities.
- Regular monitoring and evaluation: Continuously monitor the impact of funded activities and adjust plans as needed. This ensures that the grant is being used effectively and sustainably.
- Professional development: Invest in training for staff to enhance their PE teaching skills. This can have a long-lasting impact on the quality of PE provision.
- Collaboration and sharing best practices: Collaborate with other schools and share best practices. Learning from others can provide new ideas and insights into effective use of the grant.
Conclusion
Overcoming common challenges, particularly related to outdoor play equipment and capital expenditure, requires careful planning and adherence to the grant’s terms. By adopting best practices, schools can maximise the grant’s impact, fostering a healthier and more active generation of pupils.
The next step
If your school requires support with best practices going forward, please get in touch with Luke Grubb on l.grubb@uhy-uk.com or your usual UHY academy adviser.
