Spearheaded by the Inclusion 2024 programme, we are working collaboratively with pupils, schools, expert practitioners and local / national partners to drive quality and accessibility of opportunities for SEND pupils to participate, engage and learn through PE and School Sport (PESS).

Evidence of Need

Over the last decade, there has been a substantial increase in the quantity of young people being diagnosed with a Special Educational Need and/or Disability (SEND). In their latest report, published in 2024, the Department for Education (DfE) stated that 18.4% of children in England have a known SEND, which equates to over 1.6 million children.

With the number of children requiring additional support increasing, in turn schools are struggling to service the bespoke support these children need for learning. In 2024, approximately 4,000 children were on roll in special schools with two thirds of those schools full or over capacity. The number of pupils with SEN attending alternative provision continues to be high, with 24.2% having an Education Health Care Plan and 58.1% receiving SEN support.

School sport and physical activity is crucial for supporting these children’s physical, psychological and social development, yet a third of disabled children take part in less than 30 minutes of activity a day during term time. Activity Alliance data shows that 9 in 10 parents of disabled children say their child’s level of physical activity is important to them, yet less than half of parents with disabled children feel they have enough support to help their child to be active.

Impact to Date