School leaders 'nervous' about new sports network

The introduction of the government’s new school sports “partnership network” has been delayed, while primary schools are to receive more interim funding to support the transition.

And although school leaders have welcomed news of the funding, they “remain nervous” about whether the partnership model will prove effective.

In May, the Department for Education announced that the PE and sport premium will be replaced by a network of sports bodies providing support to schools, with annual funding around 20 per cent lower than current levels.

Primary schools were told at the time they would receive £100 million in “transitional funding” to support them until the new partnerships were formed in January.

Now the DfE has written to headteachers informing them that the transitional funding will increase to £150 million, and that the implementation of the partnership networks will be delayed until April.

Doubts over partnership model

James Bowen, assistant general secretary at the NAHT school leaders’ union, said: “It was always unrealistic to expect the partnership model to be up and running by January, and we are pleased the DfE will provide additional funding to schools so there is a longer transition period.”

School leaders had previously told Tes that schools in disadvantaged and rural areas risked missing out under the new model, and that the timing - coming late in the budget-planning cycle - was “hugely detrimental”.

Today Mr Bowen said: “School leaders remain nervous about the ability of the partnership model to deliver, and it is important that we do not lose good provision where it already exists.”

The current premium provides direct funding to primary schools to help them improve PE and sport.

Payments are based on pupil numbers and amounted to £320 million, or £17,800 per average mainstream primary school, in 2025-26.

The new network will be backed by £580 million over three years, but funding will no longer go directly to schools. The new network will also include secondary schools.

In a letter to schools yesterday, the DfE said it would publish the guidance and the conditions for the transitional funding in September. The exact allocations will be published in October, as previously announced.

A national delivery partner will be appointed in November, the DfE said, and it will work with schools and local partnerships to discuss needs across the country.

The delivery of the new PE and school sports partnerships national network will then begin in April 2027.