PE and School Sport Partnerships Network
The PE and School Sport Partnerships Network is the government's new approach to supporting PE, school sport and physical activity in schools across England.
It is replacing the existing Primary PE and Sport Premium, which came to an end at the end of the 2025/26 academic year. The new Partnerships Network is being introduced during 2026/27, with the government expecting it to be operational from January 2027 and fully rolled out from Spring 2027.
The new approach represents a significant change in the way schools will be supported. Rather than continuing with the previous direct-to-school PE and Sport Premium model, the Partnerships Network is designed to provide schools with access to wider support, expertise and opportunities through local and national partnerships.
The government has announced £580 million for the new Partnerships Network, as part of more than £1 billion of investment in school sport over three years. There is also almost £200 million for improvements to school sporting facilities, which could support areas such as accessibility and additional equipment. A one-off £100 million payment is also being provided to support primary schools during the transition to the new approach.
What will the new Partnerships Network do?
The aim is to give schools more joined-up support around PE, sport and physical activity. This includes helping schools improve the quality of PE, develop extra-curricular opportunities and build stronger links with local sports clubs, coaches and national governing bodies.
The new network is also intended to provide more targeted support for children who are less active or face barriers to taking part in sport. The government’s plans specifically identify groups including girls, disadvantaged pupils and children with SEND. Support could include specialist coaches, teacher development, extra-curricular activities, swimming and water safety, as well as other opportunities to get children more active.
For schools, this could mean looking at their outdoor spaces as part of a wider approach to physical activity. A playground does not have to be just a traditional play area. Depending on the school’s needs and available funding, outdoor improvements could include climbing and balancing equipment, play towers, clamber stacks, swings, slides, outdoor gym equipment, playground markings, sensory areas, water play, inclusive play equipment and outdoor activity areas.
Schools may also want to consider spaces that support learning and wider use, such as outdoor classrooms and timber gazebos. The right solution will depend on the school’s pupils, existing facilities, available space and priorities.
What does this mean for schools?
The new system is still being introduced, so schools should keep checking the latest government guidance as further details are confirmed.
For schools planning improvements to their outdoor areas, this is a good time to start looking at what they already have and where improvements could make the biggest difference. Rather than waiting until funding becomes available, schools can begin identifying priorities, looking at their outdoor space and considering what different options could achieve.
At Everyday Play, we can help schools explore those options. We can visit your school, look at the available space, discuss what you want to achieve and talk through different playground and outdoor activity solutions at different budget levels.
Whether you are considering a new play tower, outdoor gym, climbing equipment, inclusive play area, sensory garden, outdoor classroom, playground markings or a larger outdoor activity area, we can help you understand what could work for your school.
We can also provide a free site visit and free playground quotation, giving your school an opportunity to discuss its plans before making any decisions about the project.
With the move from the old PE and Sport Premium to the new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network during 2026/27, schools may want to start planning ahead and keep up to date with the funding and support available as the new system develops.
Contact Everyday Play for Expert Advice and Support
To find out how we can help you make the most of your funding, please get in touch. Whether you want to talk through a range of PE and sport equipment options, discuss costings, or explore design ideas for your outdoor space, our friendly and knowledgeable team is here to support you.
We specialise in advising on and supplying a wide variety of solutions including Daily Mile tracks, Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs), outdoor gyms, trim trails and much more. Whatever your school’s needs or budget, we can help you plan a project that maximises your funding’s impact and meets government requirements.
Please call us on 01622 688343, email info@everyday-play.co.uk, or fill out the form on this page to arrange a free consultation or request further information. We look forward to helping you create an active, inclusive and sustainable play and sport environment for your pupils.
How can we help?
Tell us more about your space, your wish list, or ask us a question. We will get back to you as soon as possible.