Let’s be honest: checking the PE cupboard can feel like a mammoth job. It probably looked beautifully organised in September, with everything labelled, counted and in the right place. By the summer term, after months of lessons, clubs, fixtures, wet playtimes and borrowed equipment, it can start to look a little worse for wear.
The good news is that it does not need to be complicated. A summer term stocktake gives you time to work out what you have, what needs replacing and what needs to be ordered before the new academic year begins.
Before you begin the stocktake, it helps to have a few things ready:
Curriculum map and timetable for next year — so you can check what equipment is needed for each sport, activity, year group and lesson slot.
A pen and clipboard — an essential!
We've also created some templates that might help you with the steps outlined below:
Start with your curriculum map for the next academic year. For each sport, activity or after-school club, make a quick list of:
The specific equipment needed — for example, balls, rackets, bibs, cones, nets, targets or measuring equipment.
The sizes or types needed — consider whether different key stages or year groups need different sizes.
The quantity needed — think about how many pupils will be taking part and whether more than one class or group may need the same equipment at the same time.
At this stage, the aim is to build your 'ideal list' before you start counting. This gives you a clear target to work towards and makes it easier to spot any gaps once you begin checking the cupboard.
Here is an example of what your table will start to look like:
Now move to your PE cupboard and check your equipment against your list.
For each item, don’t just ask 'How many do we have?', ask 'How many usable items do we have?'. Sort everything into three groups:
Keep — safe, clean and ready to use.
Admin — still usable, but needs attention (e.g. inflating, cleaning, relabelling, or putting back into a complete set).
Replace — damaged, unsafe, missing, badly worn or no longer suitable.
What to do next:
Keep items - Add these to your ‘PE Cupboard Stocktake’ table under the ‘Amount Got’ column.
Admin items - Include these in ‘Amount Got’, but also log the required action in the ‘PE Admin Jobs' list e.g inflate footballs.
Replace items - Safely dispose of these and do not include them in your stock count.
Your 'PE Cupboard Stocktake' table should now be looking like this:
Next, review the equipment used across multiple lessons and activities. These are often the items that go missing or get worn out most easily, such as:
Cones
Space Markers
Bibs
Hoops
Beanbags
Whistles
Pumps and spare needles
Stopwatches
Measuring tapes
Clipboards or lesson resources
Assess how many you need, how many are usable and what needs to be replaced, then add them to your 'PE Cupboard Stocktake' table.
Log any tasks (e.g. washing bibs) in your 'PE Admin Jobs' list.
Now, check in with colleagues who use the equipment. They may highlight gaps you haven’t spotted. Ask:
New activities: Are there any sports, activities or after school clubs you want to introduce next year?
Lesson support: Are there any resources that would help lessons run more smoothly?
Small essentials: Are any small but important items, such as stopwatches, markers, whistles or pump needles, running low?
Taking the time to do this now means every member of staff can start the new academic year feeling prepared, supported and ready to deliver great PE lessons from day one. Add any items highlighted to your 'PE Cupboard Stocktake' list so they can be included in your final order.
Take time to ensure your equipment supports all pupils from the start of term. Useful questions to ask your PE team and your SENDCO include:
Class needs: Are there any pupils next year who may need adapted equipment to access PE?
Support plans: Do any healthcare plans, EHCPs or individual support plans mention PE, movement or equipment needs?
Specialist equipment: Is anything needed in advance so it is ready before lessons begin?
Adapted equipment may include:
Softer balls
Larger or lighter balls
Lower targets
Brightly coloured equipment
Adapted bats or rackets
Grip aids or easier-to-hold equipment
Equipment suitable for seated or lower-mobility activities
Add any required equipment to your 'PE Cupboard Stocktake' list to ensure all pupils can access PE lessons from the very start of term.
Once you know what you’re keeping, take the opportunity to organise your space properly. When equipment is clearly organised, staff can find what they need quickly, lessons can start on time and equipment is less likely to go missing or get damaged. Consider whether you need:
Ball bags
Mesh sacks
Storage boxes
Labels
Shelving
Trolleys
Add any storage needs to your 'PE Cupboard Stocktake' list, and log organisation tasks in your 'PE Admin Jobs' list.
You should now have:
A PE Cupboard Stocktake list with a clear breakdown of what needs to be ordered and in what quantities
A PE Admin Jobs list outlining the tasks that need to be completed, when they need to be done and who is responsible
With both in place, you’re fully set up for a smooth and organised start to the new academic year.
Once you’ve created your order list, our team can help with:
Product recommendations
Equipment choices
Quotes
📧 Contact: sales@sportsdirectory.com
Every PE cupboard is different, and every team has great ideas.
Got a storage hack or stocktake tip?
📧 Send it to marketing@sportsdirectory.com and we may add them to this blog to help other PE teachers get September-ready.
