The PE and Sport Premium helps primary schools make additional, sustainable improvements to PE, sport and physical activity. This page explains what it can and cannot pay for in 2026 to 2027, how schools usually fund new playground markings, and where refreshing existing lines fits.
The premium is there to improve the quality of PE, physical activity and sport in primary schools. DfE asks schools to use it to make additional and sustainable improvements, building capacity that will also benefit pupils who join the school in future. Its guidance points schools first towards staff training, and also towards active break times, targeted activities for the least active children, extra-curricular clubs and competitions.
The premium must not be used for capital expenditure. DfE's own examples of capital spend include multi-use games areas and active mile tracks, so new playground markings are usually funded another way: from a capital or premises budget, PTA fundraising or a grant. Our guide to playground funding and grants covers the main options.
Routine maintenance of existing assets is treated differently. DfE's example is that you can repaint lines on a playground, because the playground is an existing asset and the work only maintains it. Refreshing worn markings you already have can therefore count as maintenance. Check how your own accounting policy classifies the work, as DfE cannot give individual advice.
How much is the premium in 2026 to 2027? Schools with 17 or more eligible pupils receive £6,240 plus £10 per pupil, and schools with 16 or fewer eligible pupils receive £390 per pupil. The funding must be spent by 31 July 2027 and cannot be rolled over into the next academic year. The full conditions are in the DfE's PE and sport premium guidance.
Source: the DfE's PE and sport premium guidance for primary schools, updated 24 September 2026.
Whichever budget pays for them, good ground markings give the activity the premium funds a place to happen every day. A few practical examples, each linked to the relevant designs.
DfE suggests targeted activities to involve the least active children. Marked activity trails, agility circuits and target games give those sessions a ready-made space, and give children who feel less sure in team sports an easy way in.
Sports courts and MUGADfE encourages schools to embed physical activity into the school day, including active break times. A looped track makes the daily mile simple to run whatever the weather, well beyond timetabled PE.
Daily mile tracksBright sports courts, athletics lines and fitness zones make a visible statement that movement is part of everyday school life, and give inter-house competitions a proper home.
Sports and fitness markingsA multi-use games area, a mix of games markings and a set of fitness stations let one playground host far more kinds of play and sport than an empty surface can.
All playground markingsEvery school must publish a report on its website showing how it spent the premium and the difference it made, and complete DfE's digital expenditure return, both by 31 July. Whichever budget pays for your markings, we can supply a detailed quote and a specification of the work to support your decision, so your business manager can classify it correctly and you have a clear record for governors.
New markings usually cannot. DfE says schools must not use the premium for capital expenditure, and its own examples of capital spend include multi-use games areas and active mile tracks. Refreshing existing markings is different: DfE's example is that you can repaint lines on a playground, because the playground is an existing asset and the work is routine maintenance. Check how your own accounting policy classifies the work, as DfE cannot give individual advice.
Most schools use a capital or premises budget, PTA fundraising or a grant, and some combine more than one. We can provide a free design and a detailed quote, with no hidden costs and our price match promise, to put to whichever route suits your school. Our playground funding and grants guide covers the main options.
Schools with 17 or more eligible pupils receive £6,240 plus £10 per pupil. Schools with 16 or fewer eligible pupils receive £390 per pupil. Eligible pupils are those in years 1 to 6.
The premium runs on the academic year. Funding for 2026 to 2027 must be spent by 31 July 2027 and cannot be rolled over into the next academic year. Your online report on how it was spent must also be published by 31 July 2027.
We can design a scheme around your aims and send a detailed quote and a specification of the work. Your business manager can use these to decide how the work should be classified and which budget it comes from, and you have a clear record for governors. Send us your details and we will be in touch as soon as possible.
This is general guidance, not financial advice. It reflects the DfE's PE and sport premium guidance as updated on 24 September 2026. Rules can change, so check the current guidance and your own accounting policy before you commit spend.
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Connect on LinkedInWe will design a scheme around your aims and send a detailed quote and specification you can put to your budget.
