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.
Did you know?
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Impact to Date
Through the Inclusion 2024 programme, PE and school sport experiences have rapidly improved for disabled children. Young people have been taking part in more inclusive and accessible PE lessons, school swimming, para sports as part of fun festivals, and learning key life and leadership skills. In the last three years, this programme has delivered 2,800 activities involving 55,000 interactions with pupils, school staff and other participants led by our Lead Inclusion School network.
Alongside this programme, the Youth Sport Trust is committed to offering free resources to upskill practitioners’ confidence in delivery and share innovative ideas to inspire a school sport and physical activity offer for all; inclusive of the Inclusive Sports Festivals, All About Autism and Move Like Me.
Not sure where to start? Consider self-assessing your current practice through the Inclusive Health Check, which 8,000 schools completed in the 2023/24 academic year, or join over 3,000 teachers in registering for the Inclusive Education Hub to access free, inclusive resources designed to support continual professional development.
Contact Us
If you would like to find out more about this area of our work then get in touch with us today.
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