It's that time of year again - Sports Premium Funding returns! Taking part in sports activities are a key part of the primary curriculum, encouraging a lifelong love of movement and promoting a healthy lifestyle. As the government sets to release the second trench of Sports Premium funding, we'd be remiss not to give you a few tips on how to spend it to maximise use for all learners, not just those that love getting sporty.

First, though, let's break down how the government expects it to be used. PE and Sport Premium should target:

  • Increasing all staff's confidence, knowledge and skills in teaching PE and sport
  • Increasing engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity and sport
  • Raising the profile of PE and sport across the school, to support whole school improvement
  • Offer a broader and more equal experience of a range of sports and physical activities to all pupils
  • Increase participation in competitive sport

So, with these key targets in mind, here are our top Cosy ways to get your students moving with the support of Sports Premium!

Upgrade your playground

Sports Premium funding is about increasing accessibility to, and enjoyment of, movement for all children. This means not just children who team sports, love getting moving or enjoy engaging in big gross motor activities. It's also about giving a broader and equal access to movement, moving away from gender stereotypes and gendered activities. With this in mind, giving access to playground equipment to cover a range of interests is a great way to get learners moving and engaging, wherever their interests lie.

Thinking about larger scale apparatus? We have a great range of options that are sure to pique the interest of learners. Our Eco Obstacle Course is a great resource for encouraging open ended movements while our Giant Balance Pack is great for whole class activities. Alternatively, our four hoop basketball trainer and monkey bar many ways set are brilliant for all ages and for getting learners interested in the opportunities around them.

Or perhaps you're keen to get kitted out in full, or are working from scratch? We've got you covered! Our Toddler Physical Development Bundle gives you everything you need for a fantastic outdoor space for younger learners, while our Primary variation offers something for children across the school age range!

Expand your gross motor provision

Getting moving isn't just about sports related activities, or equipment that naturally aligns with PE. Lots of gross and fine motor skills are used, in fact, when children engage in large loose parts! Why not invest in a full Loose Parts Panacea and get children moving, lifting, stacking and rolling to create all sorts of fun set ups while moving their bodies? This not only gets learners active, but incorporates a breadth of other skills such as teamwork, problem solving and design thinking! Increase the activity even further with our Fun Barrels, perfect for obstacle courses, climbing, jumping and more.

Consider integrating forest school activities into your physical development practice

It's vital not to just focus on traditional sports and PE activities when you're deciding how to use sports premium funding. If you're lucky enough to have a forest school or trim trail, your funding can help kit out this area with resources that encourage movement. Even if you don't have a set space for forest school, these resources work well as standalone, multi-skill items too. Our Balance Bars look great in the woods but equally fun on the astroturf, while our Super Move and Make Meadow Set works great for gross motor skills, role play, exploring and more! Or perhaps you could expand on your provision and add fun climbing resources like our Duo of Children's Climbing Frames?

Think about staff training

Sometimes the best way to spend funding is to up skill the people delivering movement teaching - so why not utilise funding for whole staff training? From dance training through to training on supporting gross motor play, there are lots of ways to increase staff awareness of sport and physical development.