New data shows PE hours continue to be squeezed in schools. And Why PE Matters More Than Ever for Today’s Children

A new report from the Youth Sport Trust is raising serious concerns about the future of children's health, warning that physical education is steadily being pushed down the school agenda at a time when young people need it most.

According to the charity's PE and School Sport Report 2026, children are becoming less active, spending more time on screens and facing growing barriers to taking part in sport and physical activity. 

Yet despite these challenges, the amount of curriculum time devoted to PE in secondary schools continues to decline.

Since the London 2012 Olympics, PE's share of teaching time has fallen from 8.6% to 7.3%. Over the same period, subjects such as Maths, English and Combined Science have all gained a larger proportion of curriculum time.

While academic achievement remains a priority, the Youth Sport Trust argues that reducing opportunities for movement is a false economy. Research consistently shows that physical activity supports brain function, learning, memory and concentration, helping young people perform better both inside and outside the classroom.

The report paints a concerning picture of children's activity levels across England. An estimated 2.1 million young people are doing less than 30 minutes of physical activity per day, while fewer than half achieve 30 active minutes during the school day. Only 57% of teachers say their school delivers the recommended minimum of two hours of PE each week.

PE is also reported to be the most frequently cancelled subject in schools.

At the same time, screen use continues to rise. One in three young people now spend at least three hours a day on screens outside of schoolwork, with forecasts suggesting that figure could rise to almost half of all young people by 2035. Parents and teachers alike are increasingly concerned about the impact this is having on activity levels, with many reporting that mobile phones are reducing the amount of exercise children get during breaks and lunchtimes.

The implications extend far beyond physical fitness. Regular movement plays an important role in supporting mental wellbeing, resilience, social development and a sense of belonging at school. Participation in PE and school sport can help improve attendance, behaviour and engagement with education, all factors linked to better long-term outcomes.

Ali Oliver MBE, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, says schools remain uniquely placed to ensure every child has access to physical activity, regardless of their background. However, she warns that without greater investment, support and protection for PE, another generation could face the lifelong consequences of growing up inactive.

The message from this year's report is clear: PE is not a luxury. It is an essential part of helping children lead healthier, happier and more successful lives.

Conor Benn fronts National School Sports Week 2026 for a knockout Summer of Sport

Everlast and Sports Direct athlete, Conor Benn, has been announced as the ambassador for National School Sports Week 2026, Youth Sport Trust’s annual celebration of the power of PE, sport and play to build brighter futures for every child. Active from 6th – 12th July 2026, National School Sports Week champions inclusive movement in all its forms.

As the face of the campaign, Conor Benn will inspire pupils to get active, try new sports and discover the joy of movement. His energy and determination demonstrate a strong belief in the value of the fundamentals of sport: confidence, resilience, teamwork and fun. Benn’s involvement aims to motivate children, families and schools with a message that participation and personal growth are just as important as competition and career success.

Speaking about the importance of sport for young people, Benn told That's Health: “Not everyone wants a career in sport, but every young person deserves to access the many benefits sport offers. Sport teaches you how to handle pressure, stay disciplined and keep moving forward when things don’t go your way. 

"Those lessons stay with you whether you’re competing at the highest level or just having fun with your friends. As long as you enjoy it, it hasn’t always got to be a competition. It’s more important that you’re keeping active, staying fit and doing something you enjoy. National School Sports Week is about celebrating exactly that.”

Amid a major year of sport set to capture the nation’s attention, including Commonwealth Games, Men's Football World Cup, and Women's T20 Cricket World Cup, National School Sports Week invites schools, families and communities across the UK to harness the energy of a once-in-a-generation sporting summer and bring it into every playground. Powered by Sports Direct, with Everlast joining as a brand partner, the campaign encourages schools across the UK to tap into the excitement of headline sporting events and inspire children to get active.

With reports warning that children and young people are still facing high levels of inactivity and increasing mental health challenges, alongside growing concerns about screen time and reduced opportunities for play, National School Sports Week provides schools with practical resources and inspiration to prioritise movement throughout the day. Schools are supported to promote the UK Chief Medical Officers’ recommendation of at least 60 active minutes a day, helping children stay fighting fit in both body and mind.

Ali Oliver MBE, Youth Sport Trust CEO told us: “National School Sports Week is all about celebrating the fun, inclusive, educational and inspiring power of sport. With Conor Benn leading the way, and the support of Sports Direct and Everlast, National School Sports Week 2026 is set to deliver a knockout Summer of Sport, encouraging young people to get playing, have fun and feel part of a national sporting moment.

“Despite a decline in PE hours over the last decade, increasing screen time and digital distraction, and more sedentary lifestyles, we are seeing signs of hope. Sport England’s Active Lives Children and Young People Survey, which has tracked children’s activity since 2017–18, shows activity levels are at their highest ever recorded, and our Class of 2035 report found nearly two thirds of young people want to be more active. Too add to that, we have another incredible year of major sporting events ahead we hope are the inspiration for young people to find a sport they love.”

A Sports Direct spokesperson added, “At Sports Direct, we believe sport should be accessible to everyone. That’s why we’re proud to power National School Sports Week 2026 in partnership with Youth Sport Trust, Everlast, and Conor Benn, creating meaningful opportunities for young people to get active and build confidence. By providing equipment, inspiration and unforgettable experiences, we’re committed to helping the next generation feel empowered to move more and achieve more.”

Schools, families and organisations can find out more information and sign up for free here. Sign-ups will also be entered into a draw for the chance to win a range of prizes, including:

A free equipment pack for 500 schools

An inspirational athlete visit for schools, sports club and other organisations

£250 Sports Direct voucher for families

About Youth Sport Trust

Youth Sport Trust is the leading UK children’s charity for improving young people's health and wellbeing through sport and play. We empower young people and equip educators to build brighter futures through the power of physical activity. Founded in 1995, we work with around 20,000 schools and provides opportunities for over two million children every year. Our vision is to create a future where every child enjoys the life-changing benefits of play and sport.

youthsporttrust.org

Watch the official launch video here:- 

Youth Sport Trust Conference Celebrates New Era for PE and School Sport as Government Extends Inclusion 2028 Grant

The Youth Sport Trust Conference 2026 brought together educators and partners from across the UK on 4th March 2026 at the Telford International Centre, Shropshire, for a key industry event exploring how physical education, sport and play can help young people be happy, healthy and thriving as we move into a new era for PE and School Sport.

During the event, School Standards Minister, Georgia Gould, addressed delegates via a recorded video message, announcing an extension of the Inclusion 2028 grant, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to improving access to inclusive sport and physical activity opportunities for young people across the country. 

The continuation of the Inclusion 2028 programme, led by Youth Sport Trust alongside a consortium of partners, will support more schools to embed inclusive practice through PE, sport and play.

An additional highlight of the event was the Youth Sport Trust Awards Dinner, held on the evening of 3rd March, hosted by TV presenter and Youth Sport Trust Early Years Champion, Radzi Chinyanganya. Schools, trusts and individuals were recognised for their commitment to creating positive change in the lives of young people through play, sport and physical activity. 

Red Roses legends Sarah Hunter and Abbie Ward and Managing Director of the recent Women’s Rugby World Cup, Sarah Massey, also joined the event for a fireside chat to reflect on their experience of the tournament, what it means for girls in the game, and the importance of school sport.

This year’s awards included a special accolade for Churchtown Primary School in Southport, Merseyside, which received recognition for an extraordinary community-led initiative centred around the healing and transformational power of play. 

Furthermore, pupils from Endeavour Learning Trust where also invited to open the event with a special performance, combining a powerful monologue with expressive dance, which honoured all of those impacted by the 2024 Southport attack.

Following the tragic loss of two much-loved pupils, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King, in July 2024, the school worked with pupils, families and the wider community to channel their collective grief into community action. 

Through a range of pupil-driven fundraising events, including danceathons, colour runs, and a multi-school relay, more than £380,000 was raised to fund an inclusive play space designed to honour the memory of Alice and Bebe and to provide future generations of children with opportunities for play and connection.

At the Conference, Churchtown’s work stood as a moving example of the way schools can harness the power of play to build stronger, more connected communities, even in the face of unimaginable adversity, and how sport and play can influence children’s emotional as well as physical wellbeing.

Ali Oliver MBE, Youth Sport Trust CEO, told That's Health: “Churchtown Primary School’s inspiring story brought to life the essential connection between a school and its community, and it illustrates so powerfully how shared responsibility for children’s physical social and emotional development can rebuild hope and light amidst sadness and pain. 

"It's also a wonderful example of therapeutic and restorative power of play with the school’s memorial playground providing a safe and happy place for children to enjoy being active, being together and being free. We are honoured to celebrate the efforts of the school and its local community as part of our 2026 conference awards.

“Additionally, we were incredibly pleased to hear through a conference message from the Minister of State, Georgia Gould MP, the Government has announcement the next years funding for the Department for Education Inclusion 2028 grant programme. Just days before the start of the Winter Paralympics, this reinforces a commitment to inclusive opportunities in PE and the call from the British Paralympic Association for ‘equal play’ for every child. 

"Together with our Inclusion 2028 consortium partners and Youth Sport Trust Lead Inclusion Network, we have seen the impact this programme has made since 2017, and this sustained investment helps educators transform curricular and extra-curricular opportunities so all children can experience the life-changing benefits of PE, sport and play.”

Conference keynote speakers included UK Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields and environmental activist, Rob Hopkins. Dwayne Fields explored resilience, trauma-informed practice and the life-changing role of early opportunities, while Rob Hopkins challenged attendees on the power of collective imagination to create the future we want to see for happier, healthier young people.

Elsewhere across the Conference, delegates took part in practical workshops and discussions designed to help schools translate wellbeing ambition into measurable action, building on the recent launch of the Well Check accreditation as part of the Youth Sport Trust Well Schools movement. 

Sessions focused on supporting educators to evidence and strengthen whole-school approaches aligned to the four pillars of the Well Schools framework - Well Culture, Lead Well, Move Well and Live Well - placing student and teacher wellbeing at the heart of school life and enabling schools to demonstrate sustained, holistic impact.

FACTFILE: Youth Sport Trust is the leading UK children’s charity for improving young people's health and wellbeing through sport and play. 

They empower young people and equip educators to build brighter futures through the power of physical activity. Founded in 1995, they work with around 20,000 schools and provides opportunities for over two million children every year. 

Their vision is to create a future where every child enjoys the life-changing benefits of play and sport.

Their Well Schools movement brings together schools who are prioritising wellbeing alongside academic achievement. Schools can demonstrate their commitment to a whole-school approach through the free-to-access Well Check.

To learn more visit them at https://www.youthsporttrust.org