The PE & Sport Premium is changing. Following a Department for Education briefing this week, the government has confirmed it is replacing the existing funding model with a new PE & Sport Partnership Network — a national quality framework and online portal through which schools will commission approved providers.
We’ve spoken with a lot of schools already this week. There’s a lot of noise and not much clarity. So here’s what we actually know, what remains uncertain, and — most importantly — what it means for your school right now.
What Is the PE & Sport Partnership Network?
The PE & Sport Partnership Network is the government’s proposed replacement for the PE & Sport Premium. Rather than schools receiving ring-fenced funding to spend independently, the new model centres on a national online portal where schools can identify and commission providers who have been assessed against agreed standards.
To appear on the platform, providers will be required to meet baseline criteria covering:
- Safeguarding — robust policies, safer recruitment, and DBS compliance
- Governance — organisational accountability and leadership standards
- Compliance — insurance, legal and regulatory requirements
- Delivery quality — evidence of impact and programme quality
The intention is to raise the floor across the sector — ensuring that every organisation a school works with has been independently verified against those standards before being commissioned.
Key Updates From the DfE Briefing
Here’s what was confirmed this week:
1. Autumn Term Funding Is Confirmed
Schools will receive approximately one-third of their usual PE & Sport Premium allocation in October 2026. This means you can plan and commission provision for the Autumn Term with confidence. Do not put planning on hold waiting for the network to launch.
2. A National Portal Is Coming
The DfE intends for schools to access vetted providers through a single, searchable online platform. Schools will be able to filter by location, service type, and verified quality standard. This replaces the current model where schools independently source and commission providers.
3. Provider Standards Will Be Formalised
Any organisation wishing to be listed on the platform must demonstrate it meets the baseline requirements outlined above before being approved. This is a significant shift — and a necessary one. It creates a consistent benchmark that protects schools and young people.
What We Don’t Know Yet
The DfE has not yet announced which organisation has been awarded the contract to develop and operate the network. That means several critical details remain unclear:
- The exact provider registration and approval process
- How schools will transition to the new platform
- What happens to existing provider agreements mid-year
- The precise launch date and rollout timeline
The current target for the network going live is Spring 2027. However, national programmes of this complexity and scale frequently experience delays. It is entirely possible that full implementation slips beyond January — potentially until after Easter 2027 or later. We’ll continue to update schools as the picture becomes clearer.
What Should Schools Do Right Now?
Don’t wait. Autumn Term funding is confirmed, and the right decision is to plan and commission your provision as normal. Delaying because of uncertainty around a portal that hasn’t launched yet doesn’t serve your pupils — it just creates unnecessary gaps in provision.
If the network is delayed beyond January 2027, the DfE will need to ensure funding remains accessible in the interim. Schools should not be left without support, and we will communicate clearly as further guidance is issued.
In the meantime, the advice is simple: plan your provision, continue working with trusted, quality providers, and make sure those providers meet the kinds of standards the new network will require. Because if they don’t meet them now, they probably won’t meet them in January either.
Where FIFTH Movement Stands
We welcome this change — without reservation.
For years, we have championed higher standards across the primary PE sector. We have invested heavily in safeguarding, safer recruitment, staff training, quality assurance, and governance — not because we were told to, but because we believe those standards are the baseline any school should expect from a provider working with their pupils.
The introduction of a nationally recognised quality framework is something we have long supported. When the portal launches, FIFTH Movement will take every step required to be registered and recognised within the new framework, so our partner schools can continue working with us without interruption or uncertainty.
We are not waiting to be told to meet the bar. We built our organisation around it.
To find out more about our approach to safeguarding and quality, read about how we work.
Our Commitment to Partner Schools
As further details are released by the DfE, we will communicate promptly and clearly. No jargon, no speculation — just the information you need to make confident decisions for your school.
If you have questions about how the changes affect your current provision, your Autumn Term planning, or your long-term relationship with FIFTH Movement, get in touch with our team. We’re here to help you navigate this.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PE & Sport Partnership Network?
The PE & Sport Partnership Network is the government’s replacement for the PE & Sport Premium. It introduces a national online portal through which schools will identify and commission pre-approved PE and sport providers. Providers must meet baseline standards in safeguarding, governance, compliance and delivery quality before being listed on the platform.
When will the PE & Sport Partnership Network launch?
The current DfE target is Spring 2027. However, the organisation awarded the contract to build and operate the network has not yet been announced, and delays beyond January 2027 are considered possible. Schools should continue planning provision as normal while awaiting further updates.
Will schools still receive PE & Sport Premium funding in 2026?
Yes. Schools are expected to receive approximately one-third of their usual PE & Sport Premium allocation in October 2026, enabling them to plan and commission provision for the Autumn Term with confidence.
How will schools find approved providers under the new network?
Schools will access a national online portal where they can search for providers who have been assessed and approved against the network’s quality standards. The portal is intended to make it easier for schools to identify trustworthy, high-quality organisations in their area.
Will FIFTH Movement be listed on the PE & Sport Partnership Network portal?
Yes. FIFTH Movement already meets and exceeds the standards the network will require — including rigorous safeguarding, safer recruitment, governance and delivery quality frameworks. We will complete the registration process as soon as it opens, so partner schools can continue working with us without any disruption.
Should schools delay commissioning PE provision until the new network launches?
No. Autumn Term 2026 funding is confirmed, and schools should continue planning and commissioning as normal. Waiting on a portal that has not yet launched creates unnecessary gaps in provision for children. Work with trusted, quality providers now — and make sure those providers will meet the new network’s standards when registration opens.
FIFTH Movement delivers high-quality PE, Active Clubs, Swim:ED and Holiday Camp programmes to primary schools. If you’d like to discuss your provision for 2026–27 or have questions about how the PE & Sport Partnership Network affects your school, contact our team today.
