90% of schools in England now offering girls equal access to football in PE lessons. On Thursday 20 November 2025, The FA and Barclays released the findings of the annual Equal Access to Football in Schools survey – and the results show encouraging progress.
Since 2020, the number of girls attending schools with equal access has risen significantly to 2.6 million (an increase of 31% since 2020/21) showing real momentum towards long-term, societal change. This shift in demand and provision has been driven on the ground in schools through the work of more than 300 Strategic Leads across England. Their role, funded by Barclays, is to influence and empower schools to embed equal access in ways that are meaningful and sustainable. The Youth Sport Trust recruits, activates and supports this network, ensuring Strategic Leads are equipped with the skills, tools and national alignment needed to drive change at a local level.
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To find out more about opportunities available to schools, visit www.girlsfootballinschools.org
Schools Make Strides in Equal Access as 2025 Survey Results Reveal Growing Opportunities for Girls’ Football: https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2025/Nov/20/equal-access-to-football-in-pe
