School Sport Partnerships Funding
Executive Summary
Introducing padel does not necessarily require a large new budget. School Padel can help state and independent schools identify realistic routes to fund delivery, equipment, staff CPD and, where appropriate, permanent facilities.
Start with the outcome. Then choose the funding pathway.
The School Sports Funding Arena
For eligible state primary schools in England, PE and Sport Premium remains relevant during the transition to the Government's new approach to school sport. The Government is also moving towards a new £580 million PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, with greater emphasis on participation, less-active pupils, workforce development and stronger links between schools, clubs and community sport.
Independent schools are not excluded from external sport funding. Opportunities can include Sport England funding where eligibility and community-benefit requirements are met, alongside charitable grants, sponsorship, fundraising, partnerships and the school's own investment.
Sport England's Movement Fund, for example, can provide eligible projects with up to £15,000. Schools can be eligible where the project provides genuine benefit to the wider community
Core Funding Pathways
- State School Funding:
Eligible schools may be able to use appropriate PE and school sport funding where expenditure meets the relevant conditions and creates sustainable benefit.
- Sport England & Community Funding:
Projects that extend participation beyond the normal school population may be able to access external sport funding, including opportunities relevant to independent schools.
- School Budgets:
Curriculum PE, staff development, enrichment and extracurricular budgets may provide a straightforward route for smaller-scale provision.
- Trusts, Grants & Partnerships:
Charitable trusts, local grants and community partnerships may be appropriate depending on the school, project and beneficiaries.
- Sponsorship & Fundraising:
PTAs, local businesses and sponsors can potentially contribute towards equipment, programmes or larger projects.
- Capital Investment:
Permanent courts should be approached as a capital project, potentially combining school investment, external funding and a wider community-use business case.
Funding Challenge / School Padel Solution
| Funding Challenge | School Padel Approach |
|---|---|
| Limited PE budget | Introduce padel using existing school spaces and portable specialist equipment rather than requiring permanent courts. |
| Need sustainable impact | Combine pupil delivery with teacher CPD, equipment and continued school use. |
| Independent school | Explore community-benefit funding, Sport England eligibility, grants, sponsorship, fundraising and school investment. |
| Unsure whether demand exists | Start with adapted provision before committing to major capital expenditure. |
| Considering permanent courts | Develop the project as a long-term sporting asset with curriculum, extracurricular and potential community use. |
| Need to demonstrate value | Focus on participation, staff capability, continued delivery and pathways for pupils to keep playing. |
Funding Architecture
OBJECTIVE → FUNDING ROUTE → DELIVERY → SUSTAINABLE LEGACY
Explore Your Funding Pathway
Tell us what you want to achieve and we can help you identify the most appropriate route.
INTRODUCE PADEL → EMBED PADEL → BUILD PADEL
Expertise & Review
School Padel combines practical school PE experience with specialist padel coaching knowledge. We help schools consider not only how to introduce padel, but how to make provision sustainable, appropriate to the site and proportionate to the available budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can independent schools access funding?
Yes. Although they do not have access to every state-school funding stream, external opportunities may include Sport England funding where eligibility and community-benefit criteria are met, as well as charitable funding, sponsorship, fundraising and partnerships.
Can PE and Sport Premium fund School Padel?
For eligible state primary schools, expenditure may be appropriate where it meets the current funding conditions and supports sustainable improvements to PE, sport and physical activity. Schools should assess proposed expenditure against the current guidance.
Can funding pay for equipment?
Potentially. The appropriate route depends on the funding source and its conditions. School Padel can combine equipment with staff development and delivery to create a more sustainable programme.
How can we introduce padel without permanent padel courts?
No. Padel can be introduced using suitable existing school spaces and specialist portable equipment.
Can grants contribute towards permanent courts?
Potentially, but eligibility varies considerably. Permanent courts are a substantial capital project and are likely to require a combination of funding sources.
Can community use strengthen a funding application?
Yes, in some funding programmes wider community benefit is an important consideration. Evening, weekend and holiday provision can also strengthen the wider business case for a permanent facility.