The 2025/26 PE & Sport Premium: A Compliant Spending Guide for Schools

What is Sport Premium Funding?

Sport Premium Funding is funding provided to schools for the benefit of maintaining fitness and sport facilities. This includes playground markings. On this page, we'll break down exactly how you can make sure you can effectively your Sport Premium funds to upgrade your playground.

What You Actually Need to Know to Avoid Non-Compliant Spending

As a school leader, you're responsible for every penny of your Sport Premium funding. But the 2025/26 guidance has created a major problem: many schools are now at risk of non-compliant spending based on outdated advice. You've probably been told you can use the funds for new MUGAs or Daily Mile tracks. As of 2025, this is now incorrect.

The official GOV.UK guidance explicitly lists these as prohibited examples of 'capital expenditure'. This is a recent and critical change that many people, including other playground marking suppliers have missed.

We are a UK manufacturer, and want to provide the most up-to-date interpretation of the sport premium guidelines (and protect you from a compliance headache!). This guide will give you the clarity you need to spend your funds safely.

What the 2025 Guidance Explicitly Allows

The guidance gives us one crystal-clear, 100% compliant way to use the funds for playgrounds. It states you CAN use the premium for:

"revenue maintenance costs... For example, you can repaint lines on a playground."

This is your safest and most powerful spending option. You can transform your playground, refresh your faded markings, and stay perfectly compliant.

A Compliant Spending Option: The Maintenance & Refresh Package

This is the easiest way to use your 2025/26 sport premium funds to make a huge impact on your pupils' daily activity. You'll be able to spend the funds on an upgraded and refreshed playground.

Playground Marking Removals

Do you have old, cracked paint? We can professionally remove it, creating a clean, safe slate. This is the definition of "revenue maintenance."

Playground Line Refreshing

We will re-mark your existing sports courts, hopscotches, and other games with our durable and vibrant thermoplastic. This revitalises your PE provision and meets the DfE's guidelines perfectly.

Get a Compliant QuoteSpeak to our Team

How to Fund New Projects (MUGAs, Tracks & Playground Markings)

If you are looking to fund a brand new playground project, and are needing to find the funds to do so, funding doesn't stop at the Sport Premium! We've outlined some alternative ways you can fund a new playground if you do not have existing markings. A few options include:

1. National Lottery: Awards for All

This is the perfect fund for new projects. It's designed for community-focused projects that promote health and activity; a new playground is a perfect fit.

2. School-Led Fundraising

Your PTA or community can raise funds for a specific "legacy" project. We've seen schools have huge success with 'sponsor-a-marking' campaigns for a new bespoke trail.

3. Other Grants & Funding

There are many other pots of money available for schools. We've built a resource to help you find them. Read our full guide to funding new playground projects.

Using Your Sport Premium

We know that spending the funds is only half the battle. You also have to report it compliantly in your digital reporting tool by the 31st July deadline.

This is where we make your life easy.

When you use Thermmark for your Playground Refresh, we will provide you with:

A Reporting-Ready Quote: An itemised quotation.
Compliance Justification: For when you need to justify your use of the funding, explaining how this expenditure meets the 5 Key Indicators and is a compliant use of the fund.
Manufacturer Guarantee: Your quote will include our 3-Year Manufacturer Guarantee as direct evidence for your report on the "sustainability" of your investment.

You will have all the documentation you need to simply copy and paste into your report, giving you complete peace of mind.

Use Your Sport Premium t

Let our experts help you plan a 100% compliant playground refresh that will delight your pupils and your auditors.

Get a Compliant Quote

Our Guide to Playground Markings

Not sure what you're looking for? See our blog for some inspiration!

Ibstock Junior School Case Study

See how we helped Ibstock transform their space with a bespoke trail - designed by the children!

Anti-Slip

Anti-slip thermoplastic markings enhance playground safety by reducing the risk of slips and falls, even in wet conditions.

Long-lasting

They are durable, weather-resistant, and retain vibrant colours for years, ensuring long-lasting fun.

Low Maintenance

Require minimal maintenance, making them a cost-effective choice for schools and parks.

Customisable

With a wide range of colours, shapes, and designs, you can create custom designs for your playground's needs.

Based on the Curriculum

From number grids and phonics games to world maps and clock faces, our markings help reinforce key concepts.

Encourage Active Play

By integrating movement with education, they encourage engagement, retention, and a love for learning outside the classroom.

Need Help Designing Your New Playground? Speak to an Expert!

Let’s bring your playground vision to life! Tell us a bit about your project, and our friendly team will be in touch to help you create a fun, safe, and inspiring play space.

Thermmark Ltd
Second Avenue
Radnor Park Industrial Estate
Congleton
CW12 4XJ

Contact

Get in touch

0330 124 2750

[email protected]

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Monday 8AM - 5PM

Tuesday 8AM - 5PM

Wednesday 8AM - 5PM

Thursday 8AM - 5PM

Friday 8AM - 4PM

Saturday Closed

Sunday Closed

Thermmark Limited

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