PE and Sport Premium

The Primary PE and Sport Premium is provided to support schools in making additional and sustainable improvements to the quality of PE, physical activity and sport for primary-aged pupils.

At Rushcroft Primary School, we use the funding to build capacity within school, increase opportunities for pupils to be physically active and ensure that improvements have a lasting impact.

Our priorities include:

• developing staff confidence, knowledge and expertise in teaching PE;
• increasing participation in sport, physical activity and competition;
• providing inclusive opportunities for all pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND;
• developing pupil leadership through our Playmaker programme;
• providing high-quality outdoor and adventurous physical experiences; and
• investing in approaches and resources that can be sustained beyond the funding period.

2026-2027 PE and Sport Premium

Our Sport Strategy for September 2026 to April 2027 has been developed during the transition to the new national approach to PE and school sport.

Our particular focus this year is on ensuring that the improvements made through previous Sport Premium investment are embedded and sustainable.

We will continue to:

• use the REAL PE approach to support consistent, progressive PE teaching;
• use sports coaching alongside teachers through modelling, team teaching and professional dialogue, helping staff to become increasingly confident and independent;
• provide opportunities for pupils to take part in inter-school and intra-school sport through local and federation partnerships;
• develop pupil leadership and active play through our Playmakers;
• support inclusive participation, particularly for disadvantaged pupils, pupils with SEND and pupils who are less physically active;
• provide outdoor and adventurous physical learning, including opportunities such as Castleshaw and residential activities; and
• make purposeful use of high-quality PE, active-play and outdoor resources.

The planned expenditure for the September 2026–April 2027 period is currently £13,030. The final funding available will be reviewed when the Department for Education confirms the school's allocation and associated conditions of grant.

Impact of PE and Sport Premium 2025-2026

During 2025–2026, Rushcroft received £17,520 in PE and Sport Premium funding. All of the grant was spent. 

Funding supported staff professional development, extra-curricular opportunities, PE and active-play resources, local sporting partnerships, competitions and wider outdoor and adventurous physical activity. The school also specifically targeted opportunities for disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND. 

The impact included:

• Rushcroft achieved the Platinum School Games Mark again, maintaining the highest level of the School Games Mark award and recognising our sustained commitment to physical activity, inclusive participation, competition and pupil leadership.
• REAL PE continued to provide a consistent framework for PE and support progression in pupils' physical skills, competence and confidence.
• Sports coaching alongside teachers through modelling, team teaching and professional dialogue continued to strengthen staff knowledge and confidence.
• Pupils accessed a broad range of intra-school and inter-school sporting opportunities through federation activities and partnerships with local schools and organisations.
• The Playmaker programme remained embedded, with pupils leading activities and encouraging others to be active at playtimes.
• Extra-curricular opportunities broadened pupils' experience of sport and physical activity, with particular consideration given to pupils who may experience barriers to participation.
• Outdoor and adventurous activities, including Castleshaw, supported resilience, independence, teamwork, confidence and problem-solving.
• Investment in PE, Playmaker and outdoor resources supported participation and enabled activities to be adapted for different needs and abilities.
• The continued focus on staff development, pupil leadership and reusable resources has strengthened the sustainability of provision and reduced reliance on externally delivered activity

Swimming and Water Safety 2025–2026

By the end of Year 6:

• 93% of pupils could swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres.
• 93% could use a range of strokes effectively.
• 69% could perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations. 

No PE and Sport Premium funding was used for additional top-up swimming provision during 2025–2026.

Supporting Documents

• PE and Sport Premium Strategy 2026–2027 September 2026–April 2027
• DfE PE and Sport Premium Grant Expenditure Return 2025-2026