Over the past few months, national conversations around the future of the PE & Sport Premium have created understandable concern for school leaders. Headlines suggest the Premium may be restructured, reduced, or repurposed from 2026/27 onwards, but the truth is simple:
👉 Nothing has been confirmed.
👉 Schools still need to plan as if the funding continues.
👉 Children’s health, wellbeing, movement and physical literacy remain a national priority.
At FIFTH Movement, we work closely with schools, local authorities and national partners, and we’re hearing a consistent message:
PE is not going backwards, it’s evolving.
And schools that plan ahead now will be the ones who thrive later.
⭐ Why schools need to keep investing in PE, movement and wellbeing
Even if funding shifts or is repackaged into a “Well-Schools Programme” or health & wellbeing framework, the direction of travel is clear:
A stronger focus on whole-child wellbeing
More emphasis on daily movement and activity minutes
Continued expectations for high-quality PE teaching
A push for schools to partner with trusted external providers
Greater accountability for teacher confidence and curriculum consistency
This is exactly where FIFTH Movement already operates.
🧠 Where many schools are struggling (you’re not alone)
Across Greater Manchester, our audits and staff questionnaires show repeating patterns:
Teachers feel least confident teaching Dance and Gymnastics
Curriculum coverage is inconsistent year-to-year
New or inexperienced teachers feel unsure how to deliver progression
Leaders worry whether their PE curriculum is “Ofsted-ready”
Lunchtime and after-school clubs lack variety or depth
Schools want to improve wellbeing but lack a clear roadmap
These are solvable problems — but only with the right support.
🏫 How FIFTH Movement is helping schools prepare confidently
We’ve now supported dozens of schools across Greater Manchester to strengthen their PE provision through:
🔍 Full PE Audits
A deep dive into curriculum, staff confidence, delivery, planning and progression. Schools receive a clear, actionable roadmap.
📝 Staff Confidence Questionnaires
Insight into teachers’ strengths, barriers and CPD needs — mapped across all strands, including Dance, Gymnastics, OAA and Games.
🎓 High-Impact CPD (Summer Term Space Available)
Our most in-demand summer programmes include:
Dance CPD for non-specialists
Gymnastics CPD with progressions anyone can use
Games units designed for mixed-ability classes
Confidence-building mentor sessions for new teachers
Schools repeatedly tell us this transforms staff confidence within weeks.
“Our teachers now feel confident delivering dance for the first time ever. FIFTH Movement helped us redesign our whole curriculum.”
— PE Lead, Greater Manchester.
⚽ Enrichment clubs that boost wellbeing & engagement
As the conversation around future funding leans more toward health, wellbeing and movement, enrichment is becoming essential — not optional.
We currently run high-quality lunchtime and after-school clubs in:
Dance
Martial Arts
Boxing
Yoga
Gymnastics
Multi-Sports
Forest School
And more
These programmes increase activity levels, improve behaviour, and raise whole-school wellbeing, exactly the outcomes policymakers are prioritising.
💬 What should school leaders do right now?
Here’s our honest advice:
1️⃣ Plan as if the Premium is staying.
Delaying decisions only creates more pressure later.
2️⃣ Prioritise CPD and upskilling.
These support long-term outcomes — regardless of funding changes.
3️⃣ Strengthen enrichment offer.
This is where national policy is clearly heading.
4️⃣ Book a PE audit or CPD block early.
Demand is already rising as schools prepare for next year.
5️⃣ Work with trusted partners.
Schools are telling us they want stability. We provide exactly that.
🧡 We’re here to help — calmly, clearly and confidently
Regardless of how the Premium evolves, schools will always need:
High-quality PE
Confident teachers
Active, healthy children
Clear curriculum progression
A robust offer
FIFTH Movement will continue to guide schools through every step, with transparency and professionalism.
👉 Book a call with our team
👉 Register for a PE audit
👉 Reserve summer term CPD or enrichment clubs
Together, we can plan for the future with confidence, not fear.
