On Monday 31^st March, William Howard School hosted their final inclusion afterschool multi-sport club before the Easter break, with 17 pupils from year 7-13 participating in a rotation of Boccia, Table Cricket and New Age Kurling. The pupils participating had a variety of additional needs inclusive of physical, social and emotional, but all come together every Monday evening to participate as a collective. The club is safe space created for pupils to participate at their own pace, without fear or judgement, with some pupils participating and others refereeing. Kelly Fellows, development manager for inclusion at the Youth Sport Trust, had the opportunity to interview five of the pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) below to hear about the positive impact the club has had on their lives.

Andrew: “I’ve been coming to the club since Year 8 and I’m now the captain of the Boccia and Table Cricket team. I just kept coming and building my confidence and skills and now I’m the captain. We’re doing really well, we’ve come second in each competition so far [this year] but we won the major [North-West Regional Boccia Competition] Boccia tournament in the last couple of years. I just really enjoy and value doing it; the club has taught me teamwork and communication skills. I wasn’t that social back in my early years at school but I’ve definitely got better now. I’m not as quiet nowadays, and I think that’s because of this club and playing sport. The people here make me keep coming back and the staff are really helpful. I’d encourage people to try it out, you never know you might like it.”

Emily: “I’ve been coming to this club since year 7 - over two years -and I really like it. I’ve learnt how to play Table Cricket and Boccia. I like coming because I’ve made all my friends here and I come back because of the teachers; they are kind and understanding, like they understand the problem. If I get upset, they will take the time to listen and give me a choice of what I want to do.”

Harry: “I’ve been coming to the club since I was in Year 7 - so over a year now - and I love Table Cricket. I’ve been able to compete in tournaments because of coming here. I’ve made friends by coming here and I love these friends. People should come here every time - this is my favourite time of the week!”

Lewis: “I’ve been coming to this club for a full year and it’s quite good, I enjoy doing what I do here. It’s a really supportive community: it doesn’t matter if you have a special need or you’re in a wheelchair, it doesn’t matter what your ability is, you can come here because anyone can play and is welcome. We play lots of games here, like jail and connect 4 in Boccia, Kurling and Table Cricket. I really love how nice everyone is, it really makes me want to come back because we all enjoy playing sport here and it’s just fun. I get a lot more relaxed when I’ve been here, it’s a calming place. I just enjoy it, it’s a lot more relaxing especially for me as I’m not really good at competitive sports but for me having a disability, this club makes it easier for me then PE because I can take my time, go at my own speed and be successful. The teachers and teaching assistants are really supportive here too – they spend their time here with us and they care. We’re a team here.”

Nicky: “Thanks for interviewing me, I’m an amazing public speaker. My mum says I mumble, but actually I’m an amazing public speaker. I believe this club is an amazing club because it’s free and you get the choice to do anything you want with your friends. I’m on the table cricket team from coming here, but Andrew [young person at the club] is who I want to be like; he’s the captain of the club and I hope to be the captain like him one day. From this club I met my friend Andrew, he’s in sixth form, I look up to him, he’s the best. I think my motivational speaking will help me be like him.”

Tracey Croucher, Learning Support Assistant and lead contact at William Howard School said, “I have worked as a Learning Support Assistant for around 20 years now and from very early on I realised that it was important that the students I support had opportunities to take part in extra-curricular, accessible sport. I have run this after school club for many years now, along with a break time inclusive football club and Boccia club. To begin with we just played Boccia, then we added Table Cricket and this year New Age Kurling has been introduced which has proved a big hit with most of the students. Students from years 7 to 13 attend and it is lovely to see how they work together, learn from each other, support each other and form friendships. Most of the students who attend also have the opportunity to represent the school as part of a Boccia or the Table Cricket team and to take part in competitions and other inclusive sporting events. It is wonderful to watch them gain independence and grow in confidence and self-esteem. I hope to continue this club for many years to come as it is clear that taking part in and belonging to an inclusive sport club like this has such a positive impact. I also feel very lucky to get to work with such a lovey group of students.”

When talking to one of the teaching assistants supporting the club, they said that supporting the club was one of the highlights of their week and has motivated them in their recent apprenticeship to become a teaching assistant. After leaving Ukraine three years ago, watching her sons participating in this inclusive club alongside the other pupils has been heart-warming and the entire group has grown as a community, supporting one another inside and outside the club.

At the end of the club, the pupils celebrated their success with their own party, whilst discussing opportunities to be leaders in the next term. They are looking forward to continuing with the club and their next party in the summer!

To find out more about the Inclusion 2024 programme or identify your local Lead Inclusion School contact, please email [email protected]