Physical activity has numerous benefits for children and young people’s physical health, as well as their mental wellbeing (increasing self-esteem and emotional wellbeing and lowering anxiety and depression), and children who are physically active are happier, more resilient and more trusting of their peers. Ensuring that pupils have access to sufficient daily activity can also have wider benefits for pupils and schools, improving behaviour as well as enhancing academic achievement.

The government provides additional funding of £150 million per year to improve provision of physical education (PE) and sport in primary schools. This funding is ring-fenced and can only be spent on provision of PE and sport in schools. It is up to schools to decide where and how they will use this additional funding, but it should be used to make sustainable improvements the quality of PE and sport in school.

At Fairfield Road Primary School, we are committed to providing high-quality Physical Education (PE), school sport and physical activity opportunities for all pupils. We recognise the vital role physical activity plays in supporting not just physical health, but also mental wellbeing, academic achievement, and personal development.

Funding Allocation

For the academic year 2024/25, we have received a total of £19,540 in Primary PE and Sport Premium funding. This funding is used to build capacity and improve the quality of PE and sport provision, ensuring a lasting impact for both current and future pupils.

How We Intend to Spend the Funding

Our funding supports a wide range of initiatives across the school, including:

• Staff CPD and training (e.g. through Tameside School Sports Partnership and internal CPD time) to build confidence and improve the quality of PE teaching.

• A wide variety of after-school clubs, including football, martial arts and multi-sports, with a particular focus on increasing participation among girls and less active pupils.

• Bikeability and Little Bikers sessions to support physical development in EYFS and encourage confidence in safe cycling.

• Playground markings and new PE equipment to promote active, structured play during break and lunchtimes.

• Investment in kits, sports day equipment, and competition resources to increase participation in inter- and intra-school sport.

Swimming and Water Safety – Year 6 Cohort 2024/25

Swimming and water safety are essential life skills. As part of the National Curriculum, all children should be able to swim confidently, use a range of strokes effectively, and perform safe self-rescue by the end of Year 6.

Our current Year 6 cohort (2024/25) demonstrates the following:

• 48% can swim at least 25 metres confidently and competently.

• 48% can use a range of strokes effectively.

• 46% can perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.

Impact and Sustainability

We aim to create a sustainable model of PE and sport provision by embedding active routines such as the Daily Mile, upskilling staff through CPD, and empowering pupil leaders through our Sports Ambassador programme.

Our investment in high-quality equipment and inclusive activities ensures all children can engage meaningfully with physical activity every day.

We are proud to be fostering a culture where PE and physical wellbeing are valued by our whole school community, and we will continue to use our funding to ensure long-term improvements that benefit every child.

Our Sports Premium statement explains how we spend this funding and its impact on our school.