A Derby primary school is building on its most successful year in sport while warning that planned changes to PE and school sport funding could put future opportunities for pupils at risk.
Pupils at The Bemrose Primary School enjoyed an outstanding year of sporting success during the last academic year, with achievements in handball, dodgeball, athletics and other competitive events. Staff say that success has created a strong foundation for sport at the school, helping to increase participation, confidence and pride among pupils.
Among the highlights were several podium finishes at the Derby City Primary Athletics event, where the team finished fourth out of 14 schools. Pupils also won the city dodgeball competition before reaching the final of the Derbyshire tournament, while the school’s handball team claimed victory in the city championship.
The school is now looking to build on that momentum during the current academic year, continuing to give pupils opportunities to take part in competitive sport, develop new skills and experience the benefits of physical activity.
However, staff are concerned that planned changes to the way PE and school sport is funded could make it more difficult to maintain the breadth of opportunities that have contributed to the school’s progress.
The Government is preparing to replace the current £320 million PE and Sport Premium with a new PE and School Sport Partnerships network from spring 2027. While ministers say the new system will provide more targeted support for schools, annual funding will be lower than under the current scheme.
Speaking about his experience of sport at the school last academic year, pupil Semilore Babalola said: “I have been really enjoying doing all the sports activities like football, handball and athletics. It’s been a really fun way of hanging out with my mates.
“It has made us all want to be better as we keep seeing good results.
“I want to be a footballer when I grow up so I am practising a lot with my mates at school. It makes school much more enjoyable. I have even made new friends.”
Staff at Bemrose say sustained investment has helped more children get involved in sport, creating opportunities for pupils to develop skills both on and off the pitch while building a culture where they feel proud to represent their school and understand the importance of teamwork, resilience and commitment.
Sporting activities have been introduced throughout breaktimes and after school, giving pupils more opportunities to participate, develop skills and build confidence. The school has also invested heavily in sports equipment and team kits to strengthen pupils’ sense of belonging, alongside purchasing two buses to help children access sporting events and activities away from school.
Last academic year, the impact was particularly significant for disadvantaged pupils, with 127 out of 129 pupil premium students taking part in an organised sporting participation event outside of school hours.
The school also placed a strong focus on creating equal opportunities for all pupils, including increasing participation among girls. Seventy-six girls took part in targeted sporting events designed specifically to encourage and boost girls’ engagement in sport.
The Bemrose School also received its Gold School Games Mark for the second consecutive year, recognising its commitment to developing PE, sport and physical activity opportunities for pupils.
Through its partnership with Derby County Community Trust, the school continues to provide pupils with access to a wide variety of activities, including swimming opportunities, Bikeability sessions and other extracurricular sporting experiences.
Staff are concerned that changes to the funding model could affect how these opportunities are delivered in future. Previously, funding was allocated through the local authority before supporting programmes such as those delivered through community partnerships. Under the new system, the school may need to directly fund access to some activities to ensure pupils can continue benefiting from the opportunities that have already made such a difference.
James Dachtler, from Bemrose Primary School, said: “Sport has become a really important part of life at The Bemrose School. Last year was an incredible year for our pupils, but what matters now is building on that success and making sure even more children have the opportunity to get involved.
“We have seen huge improvements, not just in sporting ability but in pupils’ confidence, enjoyment of school and their ability to work together.
“Our aim has always been to make sure every child has the opportunity to take part, regardless of their background or circumstances. The progress we have made shows what can happen when children are given access to high-quality sporting experiences.
“We understand that funding models need to evolve, but we must ensure that the changes do not remove opportunities from the very pupils who benefit from them the most.”
