Huge funding boost of £750m to transform Primary PE

Prime Minister David Cameron is today expected to announce that the Government is to commit funding for its Primary PE and Sport Premium to 2020, with £750m to be invested over the course of the next parliament.

The investment builds on the £150m a year ring fenced funding currently committed for schools until 2016 to increase primary PE and sport opportunities.

As part of this announcement, the Government pledged an additional £11m investment for the Sainsbury's School Games, which will fund the programme in the 2015-16 academic year and continue to inspire more young people to take up competitive sport.

 Baroness Sue Campbell, Chair of the Youth Sport Trust, has today described the Government's announcement as an 'incredible commitment' and a unique opportunity to 'transform PE' in primary schools across the country.

"This announcement is an incredible commitment from the Government and with this investment we should have absolute confidence that PE in primary schools can be transformed, ensuring physical literacy is embedded within all primary schools.

"For some time now we have called for a long term strategy for PE and sport that will allow schools the security to plan for sustainable improvements in the quality of PE teaching in primary schools.

"If we are to develop excitement, enthusiasm and passion for sport and physical activity amongst young people then we must offer them a high quality PE and sport experience from an early age.

"I would strongly recommend that headteachers carefully consider how this funding could best impact on their pupils through a rounded PE, physical activity and wellbeing strategy.  As a first step, I would encourage them to invest in upskilling their teaching workforce."