Major boost for school sport with package of cross-government funding

By GreaterSport | 08 March 2023 | TAGS: Children and young people, School Games, "Opening school facilities"

Multiple years of government funding for the PE and Sport Premium, the School Games Organiser network, and Opening School Facilities programme has been confirmed today (Wednesday 8 March).

GreaterSport are set to receive up to £2m from the Department for Education to support schools to open their sports facilities outside of the school day via the Opening School Facilities investment. 

Meanwhile, over £600 million across the next two years has been confirmed for the PE and Sport Premium, investment to improve the quality of PE and sports in primary schools and help children benefit from regular activity.

There will also be a new digital tool for PE and Sport Premium to help schools in using the funding to the best advantage of their pupils.

The government has also announced £22 million for two years of further funding for the School Games Organiser (SGO) network. The 450 strong SGO workforce supports 2.2m participation opportunities for children annually.

Read the full government announcement here.

Future England Lionesses were also given a boost today as Rishi Sunak's government set out new standards for equal access to sports, making it clear girls and boys should be offered the same sports in schools.

Schools are also being asked to deliver a minimum of two hours of curriculum PE with further support being offered through a refreshed School Sport Action Plan and an expanded School Games Mark. 

The kitemark scheme, delivered by Youth Sport Trust, recognises schools that create positive sporting experiences across all sports for young people, supporting them to be active for 60 minutes a day.

The minimum two hours of curriculum PE marks a success for the GM Women's Football Board who wrote to all schools in December encouraging them to offer at least two hours a week of PE to girls, including football.

GreaterSport's Strategic Lead for Children and Young People, Christine Bland, said: 

"We have been waiting a long time for this announcement from the government and are pleased for our children, education colleagues and School Games Organisers in Greater Manchester that these funding commitments are now confirmed.

"This investment is welcome and much-needed to support those young people who, unfortunately, do not have the same opportunities to enjoy movement, physical activity, and sport and get the many benefits that it brings.

"We look forward to working closely with schools, particularly through School Games and the Opening School Facilities programmes, to embed long-term, sustainable change for the benefit of our children and young people for years to come."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

"Last year the Lionesses’ victory changed the game.

"Young girls know when they take to the pitch that football is for them and, thanks to the Lionesses, they too could be a part of the next generation to bring it home for their country.

"We want schools to build on this legacy and give every girl the opportunity to do the same sports as boys, as well as provide a minimum of two hours of PE.

"This means every child can benefit from regular exercise and we are proud to provide them with the support needed to do so."

Andy Taylor, Chief Executive for Active Partnerships National Team said:

"We are delighted that schools across England will receive a share of this new three-year investment to help them open up their sporting facilities outside of the normal school day.

"Working with our consortia partners StreetGames, ukactive and the Youth Sport Trust, our network of 43 Active Partnerships will support schools to develop and deliver their plans, working together to identify those local communities facing the greatest inequalities and help give them access to more varied opportunities to be physically active."

Read GreaterSport's press release on Opening School Facilities here.