Why PE Deserves a Place in Your School Development Plan
Since the late 1990s, schools in England have been required to produce School Development Plans (SDPs) to identify areas for improvement, guide resource allocation, and establish timelines for action. Today, SDPs remain a vital tool for strategic school improvement, providing an opportunity for all members of the school community to:
- Share in a common educational vision
- Understand whole-school priorities
- See how leadership plans to achieve those goals
An effective SDP sets clear timescales, allocates human and material resources efficiently, and provides a framework for budgeting, professional development, and accountability.
Why Include PE in Your SDP?
Too often, Physical Education (PE) is overlooked in SDPs, perceived as a non-core subject or something that can be fitted in “if there’s time.” But this view is outdated and contradicted by a growing body of research and current government priorities. Including PE in your SDP is not just about compliance or enrichment; it’s a strategic move that supports academic achievement, mental health, and pupil wellbeing.
1. PE Improves Academic Outcomes
Evidence consistently shows a positive correlation between physical activity and academic performance. A 2023 systematic review by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) highlighted that physical activity, when embedded effectively into the school day, supports cognitive function, behaviour, and concentration, particularly in primary-aged children.
Earlier research from the University of Strathclyde, published in The British Journal of Sports Medicine (2013), found that children who were more physically active performed better in core subjects, including English, Maths, and Science, especially girls.
2. PE Supports Whole-School Wellbeing and Attendance
Recent DfE and Ofsted commentary has reinforced the importance of physical activity for improving mental health, pupil engagement, and attendance. Schools that include PE and sport in their SDPs often report:
- Increased participation in before and after-school clubs
- Reduced behavioural issues
- Improved punctuality and readiness to learn
Including PE in your SDP helps ensure these benefits are not incidental but planned, measured, and sustained.
3. Greater Accountability for PE and Sport Premium Spending
Incorporating PE into your SDP enhances accountability for PE and Sport Premium funding, especially around:
- Staff CPD and upskilling
- Curriculum development
- Sustainable physical activity provision
The DfE’s updated guidance on PE and sport premium (2023) emphasises the importance of long-term impact and ensuring all pupils have access to high-quality PE. Including PE in your SDP aligns your strategic planning with funding requirements.
4. Empower Teachers to Deliver Confidently
If PE isn’t in your SDP, it risks becoming a marginalised subject. Making it a priority signals its value to all staff. This leads to:
- Increased consistency in PE delivery
- Greater willingness to seek training or support
- More confident, engaging lessons
Empowering your teachers with clear PE goals is one of the key steps in how to improve PE across your school.
How to Include PE in Your Next SDP
If you're wondering how to do PE better or where to begin, here are three practical steps:
Involve Your PE Subject Leader
Engage your PE coordinator or subject lead early in your planning process. Their insights on teaching challenges, CPD needs, and curriculum gaps are essential.
Use Data to Drive Priorities
Track and report on participation levels, staff confidence, and pupil progress in PE. Tools like The PE Hub’s assessment portal and planning resources can help.
Align PE Goals with Whole-School Priorities
PE should link to your wider goals, whether it’s improving attendance, reducing sedentary behaviour, or raising pupil engagement and attainment.
We Can Help
Incorporating PE into your School Development Plan doesn’t need to be a challenge. The PE Hub offers structured lesson plans, CPD tools, assessment frameworks, and planning support, designed to empower all teachers to deliver high-quality PE, regardless of their experience.
Make PE a strategic priority for the benefit of your staff, pupils, and the entire school community.