Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to Answer of 21 August 2026 to Question 11572 on PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, how many primary schools will receive less funding for PE and sport in 2026/27 than they received through the primary PE and Sport Premium in 2025/26.

The department is maintaining funding for PE and school sport at £1 billion over three years as we move to providing support through a new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network (SSPN).

In the context of moving to the new approach, we have listened to schools and confirmed £150 million PE and Sport Premium for the 2026/27 academic year to support this transition. Transition funding allocations will be published in autumn 2026, in line with standard practice.

The procurement process is ongoing and expected to conclude by the end of 2026, in order for the Partnership Network to start delivering support from April 2027. Funding allocations within the new PE and SSPN will be informed by baseline and ongoing needs assessments undertaken by the National Delivery Partner (NDP), but the approach will focus on ensuring support reaches those most in need.

All state-funded schools will be able to access support through the Network’s universal offer, including professional development and training opportunities. Schools will also be able to request additional support through the School-Requested Intervention pathway and apply for additional funding through School Led Intervention grant opportunities delivered through the Network, subject to the relevant eligibility criteria and application processes.

Following completion of the procurement, the successful NDP will be responsible for developing and proposing the criteria for support delivered through the network. The department will review and approve the proposed criteria before implementation.