Unlocking potential through DfE sports funding

Every child should have the opportunity to engage in physical activity with the right access to sports and PE equipment that’ is suitable for their needs. Those physical activities, whether through sports or otherwise, can be a powerful force in shaping young lives - improving physical health, encouraging teamwork and collaboration, instilling discipline, and improving students’ mental health and social development. 

While that may seem like a lot to attribute to sports, it simply shows how vital a role physical activity can play as students navigate their way through academic pressures during their education journey. We want to explore that potential in more detail with you, showcasing how implementing sports into your curriculum can enhance students’ lives in various ways as part of a holistic education. 

Sports funding

Naturally, integrating physical activity into a curriculum in a meaningful way requires budget for sports equipment and PE supplies – which is why it’s crucial to look to the funding available for you to tap into. 

The Department for Education (DfE) has officially announced that primary PE and sport premium funding will continue for the academic year 2025/26 at the current level of £320 million. This funding will be distributed to all eligible schools in two tranches – the first in Autumn, and the second in Spring 2026.

With appropriate funding guaranteed, primary schools can confidently plan for the year ahead, and:

• Continue to offer high-quality PE and physical activity, aiming for at least 2 hours of PE per week and 60 minutes of daily activity per pupil.
• Invest in staff training (CPD), curriculum enrichment, and sustainable PE strategies.
• Ensure accountability by submitting 2024/25 spending data through the DfE's new digital reporting tool by 31 July 2025.

Social development

Playing sports requires students to work collaboratively, whether that’s as part of a team or to navigate a sport’s rules together. This creates an interactive environment where children can develop, socialise and learn to work together towards a common goal. It’s also important to express ideas and thoughts clearly to teammates and coaches while playing, helping students to build stronger communication and listening skills. 

It’s also an opportunity for students to learn about respect and sportsmanship relating to teammates, opponents, referees, and even the rules. Playing fairly and accepting when things don’t go your way are softer development skills, but just as crucial for younger students to grasp.

Cognitive and strategic thinking

Practically every sport relies on quick thinking and smart decision making in order to affect the outcome. Students will need to test and refine their problem-solving and cognitive skills each time they play to get better, with that improvement then motivating their continued practice. The more they take part in sports, the deeper they’ll also come to understand a game and the strategies they need to succeed. While external encouragement plays a role as well, this shows how sports can help back in the classroom too.

Another skill that’s developed in tandem with engaging in game sports is goal setting – as students will organically want to see themselves or their team improve and win. Setting and working towards realistic personal goals and team objectives brings a sense of achievement, rewarding their cognitive development and strategic abilities, whilst also enjoying the fun that comes with sports games. 

Inclusivity 

Every class is unique, and with that comes a range of physical needs and abilities. You can make sports in schools as inclusive and accessible as possible for all students by offering a range of inclusive PE equipment that caters towards different interests, age groups, skill levels and physical capabilities – helping all students to develop and grow.

By utilising adaptive tools, equipment, and spaces that facilitate inclusivity for students, you can help them to stay active and engaged in physical activities. For example, using softer balls or a smaller playing area can ensure that every child feels comfortable enough to participate. It is important for educators and other staff involved to be aware that students within the same age groups may differ in terms of their skill levels and physical capabilities, and so expectations will vary depending on they are physically able to do. 

Our inclusive physical education equipment for schools  includes an array of diverse products that are perfect for all students. From boccia to curling, volleyball and more, we have a full range of inclusive sports equipment available, designed to promote teamwork and help all students to feel included.

Motor skills development

For all students, from those in KS1 through to teenagers coming to the end of their secondary education, developing motor skills is a fundamental part of physical education and child development as a whole. 

To enhance their overall motor skills, physical activities such as climbing and running can improve students’ agility and strength without the need for competition – other than that with themselves. Some activities and sports that involve precision and control may support students’ fine motor skills like hand-eye coordination, with racket sports such badminton or table tennis being good options. 

As physical movement is proven to be closely linked to brain development, physical activities that involve complex muscle movements also stimulate neural connections that support individual’s memory, attention and problem-solving skills – all of which will come in handy for trickier academic subjects. 

Supports mental health 

There have been a number of studies into how physical activity improves mental health, with the link not being entirely understood yet – but the results are hard to ignore.

Being physically active has been associated with improved sleep, which is crucial for child development, as well as promoting the regular function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis  – which are the bit of the brain responsible for regulating stress and mood.

It’s also worth thinking about the sports or exercise themselves, as playing alongside others and seeing improvement can help to build confidence, while physical activity helps to release hormones that make us feel more positive.

All of this comes together to help children grow, working in tandem with their other experiences and activities to develop into their full potential.

How YPO supports sports in schools

We believe every child should have the opportunity to engage in physical activity, especially given how beneficial it is to development across all these areas. 

Our extensive selection of sports and PE equipment is designed to give schools access to thousands of products that fit their needs and budgets, featuring both leading brands and our affordable YPO sports range. 

But our commitment to championing physical activity doesn’t stop there. We’re proud supporters of the Brownlee Foundation Partner, - reinforcing our dedication to helping every child their own love in sports and exercise in a way that suits them. 

If you’re looking to expand your school’s range of PE sport supplies, you can check out our full range of sports products and PE equipment right here.