Morning, Tuesday, 20th April 2027
Online
This conference will examine next steps for PE, sport, enrichment and physical activity in schools in England. Areas for discussion include the revised PE curriculum and priorities for implementation, the new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, the core enrichment entitlement and widening participation, and the workforce, facilities and partnerships needed to support high-quality provision.
With the revised national curriculum due to be published in spring 2027, ahead of first teaching in September 2028, the conference will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to consider the developing proposals for PE and what they mean for schools and trusts. Delegates will examine the aims and content of core PE, its place in the school timetable, and the relationship between curriculum provision, qualifications and wider participation in sport and physical activity. With contributions expected from those involved in developing the revised curriculum, the conference will also assess priorities for preparing teachers and schools for the changes, including professional development, resources and specialist support.
The conference will also examine the transition to the PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, with delivery due to begin in April 2027. Delegates will consider the new arrangements for supporting primary and secondary schools, particularly where inactivity and inequalities are greatest, and the priorities for effective local delivery. This includes access to expertise and funding, the future of existing partnerships and provision, and the practical implications for schools, trusts and sporting organisations.
Further sessions focus on the core enrichment entitlement and the place of sport and physical activity within the Government's Enrichment Framework. Attendees will discuss what schools can realistically provide, the role of external and community organisations, and expectations for enrichment under Ofsted inspection. Approaches to developing wider physical literacy and participation will be examined, particularly among children and young people who are less active or face barriers to taking part, including options for improving pupil choice, enjoyment and inclusive provision.
The agenda will also assess the capacity needed to deliver and sustain high-quality PE, school sport and physical activity. Discussion will consider the school workforce, facilities and investment, and partnerships with clubs, local authorities and other providers to extend access beyond the school day. Priorities for making effective use of resources will be discussed, both in supporting continued participation and developing the evidence needed to inform future funding and provision.
Curriculum reform, qualifications & the PE workforce
Attendees will examine the proposed changes to the PE curriculum and their implications for teaching and provision, including priorities for training, resources and preparation ahead of first teaching in September 2028.
Areas for discussion include:
- curriculum time: provision of two hours of PE per week - pressure from other subjects and timetabling - progression and sequencing across key stages
- curriculum content: physically active core PE - swimming and water safety, dance and outdoor activity - inclusive provision for pupils with SEND
- qualifications & assessment:
- distinction between compulsory PE, GCSE and post-16 pathways, including the planned T Level in Sport, Physical Activity and Health
- inclusive and proportionate assessment
- workforce:
- workload and capacity in primary and secondary schools - access to CPD and specialist support
- subject-specific preparation within initial teacher training and early career development
- commissioning & external provision:
- what schools deliver themselves and what is bought in - deployment of coaches, specialists and external providers
- procurement, quality assurance and safeguarding - sufficiency and distribution of local provider capacity
The PE & School Sport Partnerships Network | transition, local delivery & continuity
The introduction of the Network will be considered, as support begins to reach schools, priorities for local delivery, alongside what the move away from the Primary PE and Sport Premium means for schools, trusts and local partners.
Areas for discussion include:
- delivery model:
- universal offer, targeted intervention and school-requested support - needs assessment and eligibility
- roles of the National Delivery Partner, national governing bodies of sport, and regional and local partners
- transition:
- continuity as the Primary PE and Sport Premium is phased out - the future of School Games Organisers and other local infrastructure
- retaining expertise and local partnerships built under previous arrangements
- schools & trusts: using support to develop PE, sport and enrichment provision - extension to secondary schools - consistency of access between areas
- impact & evaluation:
- arrangements for measuring progress against the Network's outcomes - approaches to assessing need
- accountability for funding - informing future development of the Network
Core enrichment entitlement, physical literacy & widening participation
The agenda will look at what the core enrichment entitlement means for schools in practice, alongside approaches to improving physical literacy and increasing participation among less active children and young people.
Areas for discussion include:
- enrichment entitlement:
- expectations arising from the Enrichment Framework benchmarks - assessing gaps in provision
- affordability, resources and the realistic role of external and community providers
- physical literacy:
- confidence, competence, enjoyment and positive relationships with movement - contribution to physical and mental wellbeing
- supporting continued engagement in physical activity
- inspection & personal development:
- treatment of enrichment under Ofsted inspection
- evidencing the contribution of PE, sport and enrichment to personal development - proportionate expectations for schools
- pupil voice & choice: approaches to designing provision around what children and young people want - engaging less active pupils - pupil experience as a measure of quality
- equal access:
- participation and retention among girls, particularly through adolescence - pupils with SEND - disadvantaged, ethnic minority and other under-represented groups
- arrangements for transgender and gender-questioning pupils - implications of equality law, safeguarding guidance and sporting rules
- barriers involving cost, equipment, transport, confidence and accessibility - religious and cultural considerations, including dress, privacy and participation arrangements
Community partnerships, facilities, active travel & future investment
Further sessions focus on the place of schools within local sport and physical activity provision, and what is needed to sustain access to facilities and opportunities to be active beyond the school day.
Areas for discussion include:
- local partnerships: links with clubs, governing bodies, Active Partnerships, local authorities and community providers - school-to-club pathways - local provider capacity outside school hours
- facilities:
- allocation of new capital funding for school and wider sport facilities - maintenance, accessibility and outdoor environments
- community use, management and sustainable revenue arrangements after the end of the Opening School Facilities programme
- active travel:
- Safe Routes to School programme under the third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy - coordination with local authorities and Active Travel England
- progress towards the 2035 target for 60% of children aged 5-16 to usually walk or cycle to school
- evidence & future investment:
- measuring participation, activity and physical literacy - assessing the quality of provision and pupil experience - analysis by pupil group and place
- proportionate reporting - informing future funding and policy decisions
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
