The government has boosted transitional funding to support primary schools with the end of the PE and sport premium by 50 per cent, alongside pushing back the replacement system until April. The move follows concerns from headteachers about the last-minute nature of May’s announcement, which came after many leaders had drawn up their budgets for next year. Ministers announced earlier this year that the £320 million PE and sport premium would be scrapped in favour of a new “partnerships network” with around 22 per cent less annual funding than the current scheme. At present, the money flows directly to primary schools to boost provision. The new scheme will see a national provider appointed to support all schools – including secondary settings – instead. May’s announcement included a one-off £100 million for schools to help them during the transition to the new system, which was due to start operating at the beginning of the spring term. But the Department for Education has today written to schools announcing an increase in transitional funding to £150 million and a delay to when the PE and school sport partnerships programme will begin. ‘We’ve heard your concerns’ The DfE said it had “heard your concerns about the transition from the current premium funding arrangements to the new partnerships model”. The additional cash means the median average school will receive around £8,000 to spend within the 2026-27 academic year. “This will ensure schools are fully supported as the new partnerships network works with them from January to get up and running, delivering support from April 2027.” Government will publish guidance and the conditions of grant for the transition funding in September. Allocations will be published in October. A national delivery partner for the new partnerships model will be appointed in November. The DfE said the new network would “continue to support key areas such as extra-curricular sport and physical activity, sport competitions, access to coaches and specialist practitioners and high-quality PE and physical activity opportunities. “It will reduce duplication in reporting and provision, provide clearer support, and strengthen accountability for public funding.” Three support pathways The network will include three school support pathways. A universal offer will see support available to all eligible schools, including continuing professional development, guidance and resources. Targeted intervention will see the national delivery partner provide support to schools or pupil groups “identified as having the greatest need”. Schools will also be able to request intervention, which will be considered “in accordance with eligibility criteria, available capacity and the overall objectives of the partnerships network”. The network will be expected to provide CPD on the PE curriculum, both online and in-person and a digital platform to signpost schools to “high quality” external providers. It will also be expected to provide links to local community sports venues and activity providers, support from sport national governing bodies and access to a programme of school competitions and festivals.