2025/26 Impact Report: Inspiring Active Lives Across Our Communities
Another Incredible Year of Making a Difference
As the 2025/26 academic year draws to a close, we are incredibly proud to reflect on another year of growth, opportunity and impact.
Working alongside our member schools, partners and communities, The PE and School Sports Network has continued its mission to ensure every child has access to high-quality physical education, meaningful sporting experiences and opportunities to develop confidence, resilience and lifelong healthy habits.
From delivering curriculum PE and specialist inclusion programmes to organising borough-wide competitions and empowering the next generation of female leaders, this year has been our biggest and most impactful yet.
Over 28,000 Children and Adults Engaged
Throughout the 2025/26 academic year, more than 28,000 children and adults took part in activities delivered by The PE and School Sports Network.
Every session, competition, festival and professional development opportunity has been designed to create positive experiences that inspire people to enjoy being active, develop new skills and improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
Whether it was a child's first sporting festival or a teacher gaining confidence through professional development, every participant has contributed to another remarkable year.
Creating Memorable Competitive Opportunities
Competition remains at the heart of what we do.
This year, 16,876 children participated in competitions and festivals across Southwark and beyond, including our extensive School Games calendar.
Our events celebrated participation, teamwork, determination and sportsmanship while ensuring opportunities were available for pupils of all abilities.
From multi-skills festivals for younger pupils to borough championships and inclusive events, thousands of children experienced the excitement and personal growth that competitive sport can provide.
EmpowerHer Continues to Inspire Girls
One of the highlights of the year has been the continued success of our EmpowerHer programme.
Launched to inspire more girls to enjoy physical activity, build confidence and develop leadership skills, the programme has already made a significant impact.
This year alone:
1,500+ girls participated in EmpowerHer.
Through engaging workshops, festivals and tailored activities, girls have been supported to become more active, more confident and more connected through sport.
Championing Inclusive Opportunities
Creating inclusive opportunities remains one of our core values.
During 2025/26, 1,250 children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) accessed our specialist programmes.
Working closely with schools and specialist settings, we have continued to provide meaningful experiences that ensure every young person can participate, achieve and enjoy being physically active regardless of ability.
Investing in People Through Professional Development
Supporting teachers and school staff is fundamental to creating sustainable improvements in PE.
This academic year:
Over 1,200 children and adults participated in our CPD programme.
Our professional learning opportunities have helped schools:
- Improve the quality of PE teaching.
- Increase staff confidence.
- Develop inclusive practice.
- Strengthen whole-school approaches to physical activity.
- Create sustainable improvements that benefit children for years to come.
By investing in educators, we continue to multiply our impact across every school we support.
Delivering High-Quality Physical Education
Physical Education is where lifelong healthy habits begin.
Across the academic year:
7,321 children participated in our weekly curriculum PE lessons.
Our experienced team worked alongside schools to deliver engaging, inclusive and high-quality PE that develops physical competence, confidence and a love of movement.
Supporting Schools Across Southwark and Beyond
The Network continues to grow.
During 2025/26 we proudly worked across:
- 76 member primary schools
- Special schools
- Secondary schools
We were also delighted to welcome even more schools from neighbouring boroughs into our growing Network family.
This continued expansion reflects the confidence schools place in our programmes and our commitment to delivering outstanding support across London.
National Recognition
This year brought two achievements that everyone involved with the Network can be incredibly proud of.
Recognised in the Top 3% Nationally
We were honoured to be recognised by the Youth Sport Trust as being in the Top 3% nationally for the opportunities we provide to schools.
This recognition reflects the commitment of our staff, schools and partners to ensuring every young person has access to exceptional physical education, school sport and physical activity opportunities.
It is a testament to the collaborative approach that has become the hallmark of our Network.
Opening National School Sport Week
Another proud moment came when we were selected by the Youth Sport Trust to officially open National School Sport Week.
Being chosen for this national celebration recognised the innovative work taking place across our schools and highlighted the incredible commitment shown by our teachers, leaders, coaches and young people.
It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the outstanding work happening across our Network on a national stage.
Looking Ahead
While we are incredibly proud of what has been achieved this year, we know there is still more to do.
We remain committed to:
- Increasing opportunities for every child to be active.
- Supporting schools to deliver outstanding PE.
- Expanding opportunities for girls through EmpowerHer.
- Continuing to develop inclusive SEND provision.
- Growing participation across competitions and festivals.
- Supporting teachers through high-quality professional development.
- Strengthening partnerships across Southwark and neighbouring boroughs.
Together, we will continue to inspire active, healthy and confident young people.
Thank You
None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our schools, teachers, PE leads, senior leaders, coaches, volunteers, partners and supporters.
Most importantly, thank you to the thousands of children and young people who continue to inspire us every day with their enthusiasm, determination and passion for being active.
Together, we're making a lasting impact—and we're only just getting started. 💙
