School Games SGO Update - July 2026

Catch up on previous editions of the newsletter.

Actions

School Games Mark: Last Chance to Apply

With the School Games Mark application window closing on Friday 31 July, this is your final opportunity to encourage schools in your area to submit their applications.

Many schools will have already started their application or completed key milestones, such as the Inclusive Health Check. A timely reminder, quick phone call, or offer of support could be all that's needed to help them cross the finish line.

Over the coming days, we encourage you to:

• Contact schools with applications still in progress
• Reach out to schools that haven't yet started and remind them there's still time
• Signpost schools to the guidance documents and criteria
• Offer reassurance and answer any final questions about the criteria

Thank you for everything you've done to support schools throughout this year's campaign. Applications close at 11:59pm on Friday 31 July 2026.

End-of-Year Reporting 2025/26

The summer term reporting window runs from 06-31 July. Please review and update your development plan, record all events and participation data in the Events Calendar, complete the End-of-Year Reporting survey, and submit a 2025/26 case study if not already done. We need you to be clear about your event participation and impact, so please do take the time to ensure that this connects back to the right NGB format.

Support is available via the Reporting FAQs, and SGOs should contact their Regional inbox with any queries. The reporting window closes on 31 July.

Save the Date: Regional Conferences 2026

Regional conferences will return during the autumn term to prepare the network for the future national school sport and PE landscape. Provisional dates and locations are available below, with registration and further details due to be shared in September.

• 17 November - Manchester
• 24 November - Bedford
• 26 November - London
• 01 December - Exeter
• 02 December - Worcester
• 03 December - York

Please hold the dates of your preferred location(s) in your diary; it is expected that SGOs attend one of the conferences. Venues will be confirmed soon.

Reminder: Correctly Tag Sports in the Events Calendar

Please ensure all sports are correctly tagged when adding events in the Events Calendar. Incorrect tagging, such as selecting 'bowls' instead of 'tenpin bowling', skews participation data and can impact future NGB formats and support offers.

Accurate data is essential for reporting, insight and programme development. Please take care when selecting sports and check entries before saving. A full list of sports is available within the system if needed.

Updates

Looking Ahead to the Autumn Term

As we reach the summer holidays, we are planning for the autumn term and would like you to keep these upcoming School Games moments in mind:

• School Games National Consultation Group: The National Consultation Group will convene again on 17 September; if you have any queries or feedback, please let your local representative know.
• Welcome Back Webinar: The autumn webinar will take place on 10 September (10:30-11:30am). You will be able to book via your dashboards from the start of September; please hold the time in your diaries in the meantime.

Add New Formats into Your 2026/27 Events

A new selection of School Games sport formats across nine sports are now live, with updated guidance developed alongside National Governing Bodies. If you're beginning to plan activity for 2026/27, now's a great time to explore the latest formats and see what's available. Explore the formats today.

School Games Roadmap 2026/27

The 2026/27 School Games Roadmap will be available on your dashboard w/c 06 July. Use it to plan for the year ahead, note key dates and support completion of your 2026/27 development plan. If you're already planning for next year, you can begin adding actions to your new development plan now.

National Summit: Workshop Content Now Available

We were delighted so many within the network were able to join us at this year's National Summit. All content is now available on the website for you to refer to. You can find all of the slide decks within the resource library.

Showcasing Impact

Award-Winning Practice

Sam Wells and Caradon Academy developed an inclusive virtual School Games model for alternative provision, delivering co-designed on-site activities. This approach built confidence, self-regulation, and engagement, removed barriers, and ensured vulnerable pupils accessed meaningful competition and a strong sense of belonging.

Good Practice in Action

Look back on the Case Study Live Lounge, featuring six examples including Youth Voice, RFU SEND formats, Physical Literacy, a Visual Impairment event, a Girls’ Week and a Parkrun partnership, offering learning for the whole network. Take a look at these incredible examples in the Case Study library for inspiration.

Also, explore how an SGO supported a school for deaf young people, highlighting inclusive co-design and the value of giving young people a platform to adapt activities to each other’s needs.

Support and Offers

Free Weightlifting Equipment for Secondary Schools

To support their School Games formats, British Weight Lifting is offering secondary schools a free equipment pack of 15 Eleiko wooden technique bars to support the delivery of weightlifting and functional fitness activities, with delivery in September. Applications are open now and close on 24 July 2026 (or earlier if allocation is reached).

The offer includes guidance resources, activity ideas and inclusive formats to help schools introduce safe, engaging strength-based activities for all abilities. Apply now to take part.