London PE & School Sports Network

What London PE & School Sports Network does

The PE & School Sports Network (PESSN) is a private non-profit organisation founded in 2004 and headquartered in Rotherhithe, South East London, that delivers physical education, school sport, and inclusion programmes to over 100 primary, secondary, and special schools across Southwark and neighbouring boroughs. Its service portfolio spans curriculum PE delivery, inter-school competitions and festivals, continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers and support staff, a dedicated SEND programme (Saturday Sports Club, SEND Festival of Sport, Sensory Activities, Sleep Therapy), a Health & Wellbeing programme with activity cards and nutrition resources, and the EmpowerHer programme for girls. The network also operates Southwark Jaguars FC, a girls' youth football club with U9-U14 teams that grew from 15 to over 115 players in roughly two years and is a London City Lionesses sister club.

PESSN's core technology is a content-driven website (lpessn.org.uk) used for programme information, event calendars, member login, and resource distribution, embedding Vimeo and YouTube video and using Juniper Education for cookie consent. The technology stack is intentionally light; the network's value is delivered through on-site coaching, safeguarding-compliant personnel (DBS-checked, with a Designated Safeguarding Lead), and event management rather than software. PESSN additionally serves as the School Games Organiser (SGO) for Southwark, coordinating borough-level competitions that feed into School Games and London Youth Games pathways.

Commercially, PESSN runs a hybrid model: recurring school membership subscriptions from 76+ member primary schools, professional services revenue tied to schools' PE and School Sports Premium funding, and partner sponsorship / grants from organisations including Barclays (EmpowerHer, GAME ON!, Girls Football Programme), Sport Relief, the Youth Sport Trust, London Sport, and the FA. Go-to-market is sales-led via direct relationships with school leadership and PE coordinators, supplemented by partner referrals and earned media. The 2025/26 academic year saw 28,000+ children and adults engaged across competitions, festivals, weekly PE lessons, SEND provision, EmpowerHer and CPD, earning the network a top 3% national ranking from the Youth Sport Trust and selection to open National School Sport Week.

Name

London PE & School Sports Network

Legal name

The PE & School Sports Network

Website

https://lpessn.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The PE & School Sports Network (PESSN) is a Southwark-based non-profit founded in 2004 that delivers curriculum PE, competitions, CPD, and inclusion programmes to over 100 primary, secondary, and special schools across London boroughs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

School Sports & PE Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Physical Education (PE) & Fitness Programs (EDAJAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

After-School Academic Support Programs (Centers & Clubs) (EDAJALAM), Student Wellness & Prevention Programs (Substance Use, Sexual Health, Bullying) (EDAJAIAG)

Keywords

• School sports network
• Curriculum PE delivery
• School sport competitions
• Teacher CPD training
• Inclusive PE programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. School Network Membership: PESSN works with schools under a membership/network model, providing bespoke PE and school sport programmes. Schools pay to join the network and receive curriculum PE delivery, professional development, competitions, and access to specialist inclusion programmes.
2. PE & School Sports Premium Funding: The network supports schools in utilizing PE and School Sports Premium funding, which is government ring-fenced funding for primary schools to improve PE and sport provision.
3. Partner Sponsorship: PESSN receives support from corporate partners including Barclays (EmpowerHer Programme, GAME ON!), Sport Relief, Youth Sport Trust, and other organizations that fund specific programmes and initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PESSN is a membership-based school sports network delivering curriculum PE lessons, inter-school competitions and festivals, teacher continuing professional development (CPD), and specialist inclusion programmes (EmpowerHer for girls, SEND provision, Health & Wellbeing) to over 100 primary, secondary and special schools across Southwark and neighbouring London boroughs. Schools join as members and receive on-site PE delivery, competitions, training resources and access to the network's website portal, events and partner programmes.

Product overview

The PE & School Sports Network is a progressive organisation providing a comprehensive suite of physical education and school sport services to over 100 primary, secondary and special schools. Their portfolio includes curriculum PE delivery, inter-school competitions and events (Competitions & Events), professional development for teachers (CPD), and targeted programmes for specific groups. The EmpowerHer Programme supports girls' participation through multiple channels including Wildcats, Squad Girls Centre, and the Southwark Jaguars FC football club. Their SEND Programme provides inclusive sports opportunities, while the Health & Wellbeing Programme offers activity cards and nutrition resources. The network operates the Southwark Jaguars FC as its competitive football arm and was selected for the Youth Sport Trust and London Marathon Healthy Movers Pilot. With over 20 years of experience, their 2026-2028 Primary Offer provides bespoke support to primary schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EmpowerHer Programme: A programme designed to inspire more girls to enjoy physical activity, build confidence and develop leadership skills through engaging workshops, festivals and tailored activities.
• Southwark Jaguars FC
• Wildcats and Squad Girls Centre

Products and services

• Competitions & Events Inter-school sports competitions and festival events delivered across Southwark, including football, cricket, athletics, gymnastics, netball, tennis, swimming and more for primary and secondary schools.
• Curriculum PE Delivery Weekly PE lessons delivered by experienced PESSN teams working alongside schools to provide engaging, inclusive and high-quality physical education that develops physical competence and confidence.
• CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Professional learning opportunities for teachers including sample lesson plans, curriculum maps, learning journeys, and PE assessment resources designed to improve quality of PE teaching and increase staff confidence.
• EmpowerHer Programme A flagship programme to inspire more girls to enjoy physical activity, build confidence and develop leadership skills through workshops, festivals, Barclays GAME ON!, Barclays Girls Football Programme, Wildcats and Squad Girls Centre, Female Football Player Pathway, and Southwark Jaguars FC.
• SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Programme Inclusive sports opportunities including Saturday Sports Club, SEND Festival of Sport, Sensory Activities, Sleep Therapy Programme, and Watersports activities for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Health & Wellbeing Programme Programme including H&W Activity Cards, Recipe Videos & Nutrition Cards, and resources supporting physical and mental wellbeing for pupils and staff.
• Southwark Jaguars FC A Sunday League girls' football team offering competitive football opportunities for girls with teams from U9 to U14. The club has grown from 15 to over 115 players in two years and is a London City Lionesses sister club.
• School Games Competitions School Games calendar events including Sportshall Athletics, Cross Country, Quadkids Athletics, and representation at national School Games finals; PESSN acts as School Games Organiser for Southwark.
• Wildcats and Squad Girls Centre FREE football sessions for primary-aged girls (Wildcats age 5-11, Squad age 11-16) providing opportunities to play, develop skills and confidence in a supportive football environment.
• Healthy Movers Pilot 2026 A Youth Sport Trust and London Marathon pilot programme designed to increase daily physical activity among pupils by encouraging an additional 10 minutes of sport or movement each day, currently active across ten schools for an 18-month period.
• 2026-2028 Primary Offer A new three-year programme cycle (2026-2028) providing bespoke support for primary schools across physical education, physical activity, health and wellbeing, and school sport.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 28,000 children and adults engaged in 2025/26 academic year
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Youth Sport TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational charity supporting PE and school sport. Selected PESSN to open National School Sport Week and recognises PESSN as top 3% nationally. Provides resources, training and national programme coordination.
• Barclays (EmpowerHer Programme)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding partner for EmpowerHer programme, GAME ON! initiative, and Girls Football Programme. Provides financial support and programme resources to engage girls in physical activity.
• London SportmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLondon-wide sport and physical activity organisation supporting PESSN's work across Southwark. Helps with funding, resources and network connections.
• Southwark CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal authority providing support and recognition for PESSN's work with schools across the borough. Partner on community sport initiatives.
• FA Girls FootballcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFootball Association programme supporting girls' football development. Connected to Wildcats centres and Squad Girls Programme through FA network.
• London City LionessescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouthwark Jaguars FC is a London City Lionesses sister club for Barclays WSL 25/26 season. Provides tickets to LCL home matches, coach development workshops, exclusive events and season-specific opportunities for players and families.
• This Girl CansupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSport England campaign partner supporting initiatives to get more girls and women active.
• School GamesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational school sport competition programme. PESSN serves as School Games Organiser (SGO) for Southwark, coordinating competitions that feed into national finals.
• London Youth GamessupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLondon-wide youth sports competition involving borough teams. PESSN helps select and prepare Southwark teams.
• Bacon's CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecondary school that hosts numerous PESSN events, festivals and awards evenings. Provides facilities and young leader volunteers.
• City of London AcademymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecondary school providing 3G pitch facilities and hosting football competitions and athletics events. Young leaders from the school help run activities.
• GMH Park (Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Sports Facility)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey venue partner for competitions including football, netball and athletics. Located at Imperial War Museum.
• Surrey Cricket FoundationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCounty cricket governing body delivering cricket sessions at SEND festivals and competitions.
• Wildcats and Squad Girls CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFA-funded programme providing free girls football sessions (Wildcats 5-11, Squad 11-16) at Marlborough Sports Gardens. PESSN operates the centre.
• House of VanssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for events and activities, providing unique urban sports facilities.
• Southwark Gymnastics Club / Synergy GymnasticssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGymnastics clubs hosting and judging PESSN gymnastics competitions.
• North Dulwich Tennis ClubsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTennis venue hosting mini tennis competitions for primary school children.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/london-pe-&-school-sports-network

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about London PE & School Sports Network