On Thursday 26 June, the School Sport and Activity Sector Partnership Summer Forum brought together educators, policymakers, national governing bodies, and youth sport advocates with a shared mission: to build a more inclusive, active, and empowering future for young people through sport and physical education.

Gavin James, United Action Manager at the Youth Sport Trust, opened the forum by highlighting the unifying and inspirational role of sport in communities. He outlined a session focused on practical action, policy insight, and personal development, aimed at increasing participation, tackling systemic barriers, and supporting the next generation of leaders.

A key discussion point was the ongoing challenge of underrepresentation in school sport. Gavin highlighted the recently formed Diversity Advocacy Group, bringing together practitioners from across the education sector to help dismantle systemic barriers faced by ethnic minority young people. He then introduced Vicci Wells, Assistant Director of Children and Young People at the Youth Sport Trust, who spoke about a leadership development programme to support aspiring leaders from diverse backgrounds in stepping into influential roles within education.

Vicci explored how storytelling can be a powerful driver of change. Members of the Diversity Advocacy Group have been reflecting on their journeys through a letter-writing initiative, sharing personal messages to their younger selves. Dr. Irfan Khawaja’s letter, delivered during the session, was a heartfelt message about confidence, resilience, and learning through experience. These letters will form part of a wider campaign to inspire young people from ethnic minority backgrounds to consider careers in teaching.

Gavin closed by announcing that recruitment will be going live soon for the next cohort of PE leaders.

With regard to policy, several positive developments were shared. Ali Oliver, CEO of the Youth Sport Trust, commented that funding for School Games Organisers would be extended, and the Primary PE and Sport Premium would continue into the next year, with some expected changes. She also reflected on how the sector partnership has become more unified since 2019 and is now engaging more effectively with government partners.

Matthew Hopkinson, Deputy Director - Life Skills Division at the Department for Education (DfE), presented plans for a new partnership model for school sport and physical activity, with a rollout intended by September 2026. The approach includes more transparent school profiles, enriched curriculum alignment, and better access to enrichment opportunities. Procurement is expected to begin in Autumn 2025.

Collaboration was a recurring theme throughout the forum. Heather Sinclair, Head of Children & Young People and Sport Integrity at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Jamie Blackshaw, Physical Activity Policy Lead at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and Jeanette Bain-Burnett, Executive Director - Policy and Integrity at Sport England, outlined how new investments and strategies are being developed together, building on existing programmes and targeting inequality in children’s physical activity levels.

Research also played an important role in shaping the discussion. Amanda Vernalls, Head of Research and Insight at the Youth Sport Trust presented findings from the latest PE and School Sport Report, revealing a worrying stagnation in physical activity levels among children, rising obesity, and a decline in awareness of recommended activity levels. She highlighted how PE time is often reduced or cancelled in schools, and called for a whole-school approach to make physical activity a central priority in education.

The full report is available.

The forum closed with an invitation from Gavin for continued collaboration. He promoted the forthcoming School Sport and Activity Sector Partnership Summit, and encouraged attendees to involve young people in co-designing the agenda and participating on the day.

The message coming out of the forum was clear; improving school sport and physical activity requires more than just funding and policy. It demands shared stories, bold leadership, strong collaboration, and a long-term commitment to equity and engagement.