21 Accepted

We heard mixed views about the merits of the Opening School Facilities Fund.

Conclusion
We heard mixed views about the merits of the Opening School Facilities Fund. We are concerned, however, that the closure of the fund, without a replacement, has left facilities underused despite clear demand from young people. (Conclusion, Paragraph 62)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledged the concern about underused facilities and committed almost £200 million towards improving school sporting facilities, alongside new PE and School Sport Partnerships, which will replace and build on previous initiatives.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government Accepted
The Government is committed to opening up access to school sports facilities and we expect this will be a key aspect of the PE and School Sport Partnership Network. The new PE and School Sport Partnerships, announced in June 2025, will better connect schools with National Governing Bodies, local clubs and other providers. The model will build on learning from current and previous initiatives, such as opening school facilities, and support schools to make more effective and strategic use of their assets, including facilities. On 21 May 2026 it was announced that responding to longstanding calls from schools and sports organisations, a further almost £200 million will go towards improving school sporting facilities, which could be used to make facilities more accessible for children with SEND or additional equipment, alongside a one-off £100 million PE premium payment to support primary schools during the transition year. The Government is working with Sport England to develop this funding programme which will target the areas of greatest need across the country and will communicate more detail on the process for allocating this funding shortly.
Addressee Bodies
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Timeline
Recommendation age 0.3 yrs
Report published 20 Apr 2026