As a former primary school PE lead in Bristol, I have spent a lot of time in my career looking at how to make sure that my school was using our sports premium fund in the best way possible. Now that I have taken on the role of a uSports Partner here in Bristol, I am pleased to be able to share my knowledge of the most effective ways to use the funding in my opinion and to be able to help schools through sharing knowledge and even by providing services through uSports to elevate the value of sport across Bristol & South Gloucestershire.
Physical Education plays an important role in the development of children's physical and mental health, social skills, and overall well-being. In the UK, Primary Schools have been allocated with Sports Premium Funding to support the delivery of high-quality PE and sport programs in schools. The Sports Premium funding has been renewed for the next two years, taking us to 2025. In order to achieve the desired outcomes, schools must spend the Sports Premium Funding effectively to hit the five key indicators of PESSPA (Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity).
PESSPA is a framework that has been designed to help schools evaluate and develop their approach to delivering physical education, school sport, and physical activity. The five key indicators of PESSPA are:
The engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity
The profile of PE and sport being raised across the school as a tool for whole school improvement
Increased confidence, knowledge, and skills of all staff in teaching PE and sport
Broader experience of a range of sports and activities offered to all pupils
Increased participation in competitive sport
So, let's take a look at how primary schools in the UK can spend their Sports Premium Funding effectively to hit these key indicators of PESSPA.
The engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity
Schools can use Sports Premium Funding to promote regular physical activity among pupils. This can be achieved through various means such as extracurricular activities, lunchtime clubs, and after-school sports clubs. Schools can also consider investing in equipment and facilities that encourage physical activity such as playground equipment, outdoor gym equipment, and fitness trails. Providing opportunities for pupils to participate in physical activity during break times and lunchtimes can also encourage pupils to be more active. A good way to do this is to use sports coaches or even to train your Year 6 pupils as sports leaders.
The profile of PE and sport being raised across the school as a tool for whole school improvement
Schools can use Sports Premium Funding to raise the profile of PE and sport across the school. This can be achieved by promoting the importance of physical activity to pupils, parents, and staff. Schools can also consider using displays and noticeboards to showcase the achievements of pupils in PE and sport. Staff training in the area of PE and sport can also be provided to help raise awareness and improve the quality of teaching.
Increased confidence, knowledge, and skills of all staff in teaching PE and sport
Schools can use Sports Premium Funding to provide staff training and CPD in the area of PE and sport. This can help to increase the confidence, knowledge, and skills of all staff in teaching PE and sport. Schools can consider providing training for staff on the latest teaching techniques and methods, as well as on the rules and regulations of various sports. Staff can also be provided with opportunities to observe and learn from experienced PE teachers and sport coaches.
Broader experience of a range of sports and activities offered to all pupils
Schools can use Sports Premium Funding to offer a broader range of sports and activities to pupils. This can be achieved by providing a range of extracurricular activities and after-school clubs. Schools can also consider bringing in specialist coaches to teach different sports and activities. This can help to broaden the experiences of pupils and encourage them to try new activities.
Increased participation in competitive sport
Schools can use Sports Premium Funding to increase participation in competitive sport. This can be achieved by entering pupils into inter-school competitions and events. Schools can also consider organising their own inter-school competitions and events. This can help to increase the participation of pupils in competitive sport and provide opportunities for pupils to showcase their skills and talents.
How can uSports Bristol help?
uSports Bristol can provide your school with high quality sports coaches who can deliver extra-curricular activities, lunch clubs and after-school clubs. We also organise competitions and inter-school events. We offer a thorough CPD programme to upskill your teachers, and we can provide sports leader training for your older pupils. Have a look through our website for everything we can provide your school with in order to help you get the most out of your Sports Premium fund.
Ben Brown
uSports Partner Bristol