Background:

In April 2013, the Government announced new funding of £150 million for physical education (PE) and sport. This funding should be used to improve the quality and breadth of PE and sport provision.

Funding will be allocated to all maintained and state-funded schools with primary phase pupils, including: primary, middle, special and non-maintained special schools, academies and pupil referral units from 1 September 2013. 

Schools are free to determine how best to use this funding to improve the quality and breadth of PE and sport provision, including increasing participation in PE and sport so that all pupils develop healthy lifestyles and reach the performance levels they are capable of.

St Francis has used the sports funding, resulting in marked increase in the quality of sport and PE offered to our children, since the funding was introduced in 2013. Many of our initiatives have now become sustained and integral parts of our everyday life.

Here are some of the success stories the sports funding:

• A significant rise was seen in the number of pupils taking part in extra-curricular sport and physical activities, due to the increased focus on sport by school staff.
• We have provided different members of the school community (staff, parents and children) opportunities to participate in charitable sporting events including, the Acorns ‘Triple Run’ and St Mary’s Hospice ‘Chocolate Run’.
• Successful sports afternoons, which involve staff, children, governors and parents. 
• Increased number of pupils cycling to school and are continuing with the 'WOW' and ‘Bikeability’ initiatives.
• Outdoor Gym (2017) has motivated the children to be more physical at playtimes. Extended in 2021.
• A higher profile and importance has been placed on PE within the school and has been introduced into other lessons where possible. Year 3 piloted HSBC's Rugby Counts programme (2021).

We now look forward to the next phase of improving physical education and healthy active lifestyles.