Using additional funding to create lasting improvements in PE, sport and physical activity
The PE and Sport Premium is additional funding provided to primary schools to improve the quality of PE, sport and physical activity.
At North Mead, we use this funding strategically to make sustainable improvements to provision, increase participation, strengthen staff expertise and ensure children have access to high-quality physical education and wider sporting opportunities. The Department for Education expects schools to use the funding to build capacity and improve provision in ways that will continue to benefit pupils in future years.
Our priorities
Our use of the PE and Sport Premium is guided by the needs of North Mead pupils.
We aim to use the funding to:
- improve the quality of PE teaching
- strengthen staff confidence and subject knowledge
- increase pupils’ participation in physical activity
- widen access to sport and competition
- support children who may have fewer opportunities outside school
- improve swimming and water safety
- strengthen inclusion in PE
- develop leadership and teamwork
- create sustainable improvements rather than one-off activities
- help children develop positive attitudes towards lifelong physical activity
Building sustainable improvement
We want PE and Sport Premium spending to make a difference beyond the year in which the money is received.
Where possible, funding is therefore used to:
- improve staff expertise
- strengthen curriculum resources
- develop sustainable systems
- improve equipment and provision
- establish opportunities that can continue
- build partnerships
- increase staff confidence to deliver high-quality PE independently
Our focus is not simply:
“What did we spend the money on?”
It is:
“What changed for children, and how will that improvement continue?”
The five key areas
Our planning reflects the five key areas identified within national PE and Sport Premium guidance.
- Increasing staff confidence, knowledge and skills
We use funding to strengthen the quality of teaching.
This may include:
- professional development
- coaching
- modelling
- specialist support
- subject leadership development
- resources that support effective teaching
The aim is for staff to become increasingly confident and capable of delivering high-quality PE themselves.
- Increasing engagement in regular physical activity
Children need frequent opportunities to move and be physically active.
At North Mead, this includes our wider approach to:
- PE
- Daily Boost
- active playtimes
- lunchtime activity
- clubs
- swimming
- sport
- enrichment
One hour of our weekly PE entitlement is delivered through Daily Boost, which is planned, progressive and taught. It is designed to strengthen fundamental movement, coordination, fitness and physical confidence through regular practice.
- Raising the profile of PE and sport
We want physical education and sport to be a visible and valued part of school life.
This includes:
- celebrating participation and achievement
- giving pupils opportunities to represent North Mead
- supporting pupil leadership
- recognising improvement
- promoting active lifestyles
- connecting PE with wider personal development
- Offering a broader range of sports and activities
Children should have opportunities to experience different forms of physical activity.
This may include:
- competitive sport
- team games
- individual activities
- swimming
- outdoor activities
- new sports
- clubs
- physical challenges
- enrichment experiences
Broadening the offer helps children discover activities they enjoy and may choose to continue beyond primary school.
- Increasing participation in competitive sport
Competition gives pupils opportunities to apply learning and develop:
- teamwork
- resilience
- confidence
- sportsmanship
- leadership
- decision-making
We aim to ensure competition is positive and inclusive and that pupils understand how to respond appropriately to both success and disappointment.
Swimming at North Mead
Swimming is a particularly important part of our PE offer.
North Mead provides access to a swimming pool for a six-week block for:
- Year 3
- Year 4
- Year 5
- Year 6
- Pheasants
This enables pupils to receive planned swimming teaching within a familiar environment.
Swimming develops:
- water confidence
- safe entry and exit
- breathing
- floating
- propulsion
- swimming strokes
- stamina
- water safety
- self-rescue
By the end of Key Stage 2, schools are required to report the percentage of Year 6 pupils who can swim at least 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively and perform safe self-rescue.
Inclusion in PE and sport
PE and Sport Premium funding should improve opportunities for all children.
At North Mead, we pay particular attention to pupils who may experience barriers because of:
- SEND
- communication needs
- physical needs
- sensory needs
- confidence
- disadvantage
- limited previous experience of sport
This may involve:
- adapted equipment
- additional staffing
- modified activities
- additional rehearsal
- smaller groups
- familiarisation
- tailored swimming support
- carefully planned opportunities to participate in competition and enrichment
Our principle remains: Belong. Participate. Succeed.
Pheasants and swimming
Pupils in Pheasants are deliberately included within our swimming offer.
Teaching can be adapted around:
- communication
- sensory needs
- regulation
- physical development
- confidence
- individual starting points
This ensures pupils with additional needs have access to the same important life skills and experiences as their peers.
Daily Boost
Daily Boost is an important part of our wider physical activity strategy.
It is not simply a movement break.
At North Mead, Daily Boost is:
- planned
- progressive
- purposeful
- taught
- linked to physical outcomes
- revisited over time
It develops areas such as:
- balance
- coordination
- agility
- movement control
- strength
- stamina
- reaction
- spatial awareness
This frequent practice supports children to become more physically competent and confident.
Staff development
High-quality PE depends on confident staff.
Where appropriate, PE and Sport Premium funding may support:
- coaching
- team teaching
- observation
- specialist modelling
- curriculum development
- planning support
- subject leadership
The aim is always to leave behind greater staff expertise, not dependency on external provision.
Equipment and resources
Funding may also be used where appropriate to strengthen the quality and sustainability of provision.
This could include resources that help children:
- practise skills effectively
- access activities safely
- participate inclusively
- experience a broader range of sport
- apply learning independently
Equipment is selected because it supports curriculum outcomes, not simply because it increases the quantity of resources available.
Clubs and wider opportunities
Sport and physical activity extend beyond curriculum PE.
Children may have access to:
- after-school clubs
- competitions
- tournaments
- festivals
- leadership
- enrichment
- swimming
- physical challenges
These opportunities help children develop interests and experience success in different ways.
Pupil leadership
Older pupils may be given opportunities to:
- lead warm-ups
- organise activities
- support younger children
- help at sporting events
- model fair play
- take responsibility for equipment
- contribute to pupil voice
Leadership strengthens confidence, communication, responsibility and teamwork.
Impact
We evaluate whether PE and Sport Premium funding is improving provision.
We consider evidence such as:
- staff confidence
- quality of PE teaching
- pupil participation
- pupil voice
- access for pupils with SEND
- club participation
- competition
- physical competence
- swimming outcomes
- curriculum coverage
- sustainability of improvements
We look not only at what has been purchased or delivered, but at what has changed for pupils.
Swimming and water safety outcomes
The school’s annual report should clearly state the percentage of Year 6 pupils who can:
- swim competently, confidently and proficiently over at least 25 metres
- use a range of strokes effectively
- perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations
These figures should be updated each year from the school’s current swimming assessment information.
The DfE requires these outcomes to be included in the published report.
Accountability and reporting
Schools receiving PE and Sport Premium must publish an annual report explaining:
- the amount of funding received
- how the funding was spent
- the impact on pupils’ participation and attainment
- how improvements will be sustained
- Year 6 swimming and water-safety outcomes
Schools should also retain the previous year’s report so that comparisons can be made over time.
Our commitment
At North Mead, PE and Sport Premium funding is used to strengthen something much bigger than a programme of activities.
It supports our ambition for every child to:
- move confidently
- participate successfully
- experience competition
- develop physical literacy
- learn to swim
- understand water safety
- discover activities they enjoy
- develop healthy habits
- believe that physical activity is for them
Every Child. Every Lesson. Every Day.
| External Resource/Organisation | Link |
| DfE PE and Sport Premium guidance | PE and Sport Premium guidance |
Related North Mead Pages
- PE
- Enrichment
DFE Sports Premium Report 25-26
DFE Sports Premium Report 25-26 HTML
Impact of the PE and Sport Premium 2025–2026
At North Mead Primary Academy, our £19,580 PE and Sport Premium has supported additional opportunities for children to take part in physical activity, develop swimming skills and access specialist sports coaching. Our spending included £13,400 on additional swimming and aquatic opportunities, £3,730 on extracurricular provision and £2,450 on external coaching.
Swimming and water safety
Children in Years 3 to 6 receive swimming lessons throughout Autumn Term 1. This regular provision gives pupils opportunities to build confidence in the water, practise swimming skills and develop their understanding of water safety. The premium has supported additional swimming opportunities within our wider school offer.
The swimming assessments demonstrate clear progress for Year 6 pupils:
- Water confidence increased from 25 of 63 pupils (40%) to 59 of 63 pupils (94%).
- The number assessed as achieving 25 metres increased from 3 pupils (5%) to 8 pupils (13%).
- Self-rescue increased from 6 pupils (10%) to 10 pupils (16%).
These results show particularly strong progress in water confidence, providing an important foundation for further swimming development. They also identify the need for continued support with swimming longer distances and performing safe self-rescue. Assessment information will help us target additional provision towards pupils who have not yet achieved these skills.
Free after-school sport and specialist coaching
Our extended, free after-school club, delivered by sports coaches, provides additional opportunities for children to be active beyond the school day. Removing the cost to families makes organised sporting activities more accessible, including for disadvantaged pupils.
Coach-led sessions provide opportunities to practise physical skills, experience different activities and develop teamwork, cooperation and confidence. This provision strengthens our wider enrichment offer and encourages children to enjoy regular physical activity.
Inclusive access and future priorities
Our expenditure report records targeted support for disadvantaged pupils, pupils with SEND and pupils with long-term medical conditions. This reflects our commitment to making PE, sport and physical activity accessible to children with different needs.
Our next priorities are to build on improvements in water confidence, increase the number of pupils achieving 25 metres and safe self-rescue, and monitor participation in after-school sport. Attendance information, pupil feedback and swimming assessments will help us evaluate the provision and direct future funding where it can have the greatest impact.
Together We Make A Positive Difference