Morning, Tuesday, 20th April 2027
Online
This conference will examine next steps for PE, sport, enrichment and physical wellbeing in schools in England. Areas for discussion include curriculum reform, implementation of the new partnerships model, enrichment and participation, physical literacy and active travel, and the future of facilities and community provision.
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss early implementation of the PE and School Sport Partnerships Network following its introduction in spring 2027, alongside delivery of the core enrichment entitlement and the consultation on revised programmes of study following the Government’s response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review. Delegates will consider what the new framework means in practice, including the extension of national support to secondary as well as primary schools, the relationship between national and local delivery, approaches for schools and trusts to identify and access appropriate support, and how continuity can be maintained beyond the one-off transition payment for 2026/27 as the PE and Sport Premium comes to an end.
The agenda will examine priorities for translating revised programmes of study into practice, including curriculum time, progression and sequencing, the relationship between core PE and qualifications, and provision across different activities. Further discussion will consider teacher confidence and subject expertise, access to continuing professional development, and the appropriate role of coaches and external providers.
Attendees will also assess how physical literacy and positive experiences of movement can inform teaching and the wider school day through enrichment, active breaks and play, while taking account of pressures on staffing, timetables and school capacity. Practical approaches to widening participation and securing equal access will be explored, particularly for girls, pupils with SEND and disadvantaged and under-represented groups.
Further discussion is expected on active travel, investment in facilities and school estates, and arrangements for sustainable community use, as well as how data, pupil voice and evaluation can support proportionate accountability, inform future funding and policy decisions, and help sustain effective provision over the longer-term.
Overall areas for discussion include:
- PE & School Sport Partnerships Network - implementation & transition:
- national and local delivery responsibilities - universal offer, targeted intervention and school-requested support - needs assessment and arrangements for accessing support
- early operation of the national delivery model and emerging implementation issues - continuity and funding certainty as the PE and Sport Premium ends
- PE curriculum, qualifications & assessment:
- curriculum time, progression and sequencing - physically active core PE - swimming and water safety, dance and outdoor activity
- distinction between compulsory PE, GCSE and technical pathways - inclusive and proportionate assessment
- workforce, professional development & external provision:
- subject expertise, workload and capacity in primary and secondary schools - access to CPD and specialist support
- deployment of teachers, coaches and external providers - procurement, quality assurance and safeguarding
- core enrichment entitlement & physical literacy:
- application of the Enrichment Framework benchmarks - treatment of enrichment under inspection - supporting universal access to a broad enrichment offer - affordability, accessibility and pupil choice
- developing confidence, competence, enjoyment and positive relationships with movement - contribution to physical and mental wellbeing - reducing prolonged sedentary time
- equality, inclusion & targeted participation:
- provision for pupils with SEND and disadvantaged and under-represented groups - barriers involving cost, equipment, transport, confidence and accessibility
- equal access for girls and boys - participation and retention among girls - implications of the Lionesses’ legacy for school and community provision
- culturally appropriate offers - pathways into community activity - partnerships with clubs, governing bodies and local providers
- active travel, facilities & community provision:
- the third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy - Safe Routes to School programme and the 2035 target for children travelling actively to school - coordination with local authorities
- facilities investment, maintenance and accessibility - outdoor environments - shared use and sustainable revenue arrangements
- evidence, accountability & continuous improvement:
- measuring participation, activity and physical literacy - analysis by pupil group and place - incorporating pupil experience
- evaluating funding and partnerships - proportionate reporting - informing future policy and investment
