The Primary PE and Sport Premium Fund Explained for Kids Yoga Teachers

🎥 Watch the video of this here

Funding is always something that I hear yoga teachers saying is an issue, many yoga teachers wanting to work in schools have the mindset that schools do not have the money to invest.

Schools do, in fact, have specific funding, some of which could be spent in investing in quality yoga lessons.

In this blog I’d like to share with you some information about the Primary PE and Sport Premium Fund and how this applies to us as kids yoga teachers.

The UK chief Medical Officers recommend daily physical activity of at least 60 minutes everyday for children and young people. According to the Childhood Obesity Plan, 30 minutes of this should take place in schools. The Primary PE and Sport Premium is aimed at supporting this.
 
What is the Primary PE and Sport Premium Fund?
Since 2013, the UK government has provided schools with a fund called Primary PE and Sport Premium, this is to enable schools to make: ‘additional and sustainable improvements to the PE, sport and physical activity they provide’. The goals of this are to increase physical activity, ensure equal access to high quality PE provision and opportunities to experience and participate in a wide range of sports and physical activities.
On the 8th of March 2023 a funding package was announced that secures funding for the academic years 2023-2024 and 2024 – 2025.
 
Who is it for?
The funding is based on how many pupils are in years 1 – 6 or in schools where there aren’t set year groups it is based on how many children are aged 5 – 10. Note that the funding is not based on children in nursery or reception, this is for primary age only.

Who is it allocated to?
Primary head teachers are awarded the funding and the senior management team choose how to spend the funding. Most schools have a PE lead who has the job of organising the expenditure, but the final say of how the money is spent lies with the head teacher.

What can it be spent on?
There are very strict rules on what this funding can and can’t be spent on and the school has to plan it’s use carefully and report the expenditure. Next academic year, the 2024 – 2025, a digital tool will be mandatory for schools to use to be accountable for the expenditure. So schools need to be really clear on how they are spending the money.
The expenditure needs to be sustainable and benefit children who join the school in the future and develop or add to the PE, sport and physical activity that the school already provides.
 
There are 5 key indicators that schools should see improvement in:

1. Increased confidence, knowledge and skills of all staff in teaching PE and sport
2. The engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity.
3. The profile of PE and sport is raised across the school as a tool for whole-school improvement.
4. Broader experience of a range of sports and activities offered to all pupils
5. Increased participation in competitive sport.

What does this mean for us as yoga teachers?
Knowing which key indicators you meet is really important in helping a school to see the value in what you offer.

This depends on what you teach in your lessons and how you work. So for me, the majority of my work is taught within the school day in curriculum lessons. My work contributes to meeting key indicators 1, 2, 3 and 4.

I can confidently say that in the lessons that I teach:

• Staff can observe and join in to upskill their delivery.
• All pupils are engaged.
• The profile of PE is raised as an ‘outside provider’ I bring with me a bit of excitement!
• Yoga contributes to a broad curriculum for PE.

Any spending needs to meet one or more of these key indicators.
Schools need to have spent this years sports premium by 31st of July, some schools may have money left in their budget that they need to spend.
 
In the UK, the charity the Youth Sports Trust runs National School Sport Week every year usually in June. Many schools usually have a big focus on physical activity and sport at this time, raising the profile of sports, PE and physical activity and how these are beneficial for both our mental and physical health.
 
Why is this relevant for us kids yoga teachers?
At this time of year, schools are particularly interested in raising the profile of physical education, and physical activity and this is a perfect time for us to be working in partnership with schools helping to share our knowledge and expertise with children.
 
Perhaps it’s worth reaching out to schools to see if they have any of this year’s Primary and PE Sport Premium left to spend and whether they would like to invest in some yoga.
 
If you would like more support in this, to help you ensure that you meet the requirements for the funding, why not book a meeting with me? Email me at [email protected]

This July, I'm excited to offer a special opportunity for newcomers to work with me. You can book an hour-long session for just £97 (usually £200). It's a perfect chance to get my insights on any aspect of your business. Availability is very limited, so email me at [email protected] to secure your spot!

Do you know what documents you need to teach yoga in school? Download a free checklist here. https://julia-hankins.ck.page/8a9c2fa53d
 
Useful links:
Information about Primary PE and Sport Premium
https://www.afpe.org.uk/page/About_the_Primary_PE_and_Sport_Premium
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pe-and-sport-premium-for-primary-schools
 
Information about National School Sports Week
https://www.youthsporttrust.org/school-support/national-school-sports-week