Youth Sport Trust has released new data showing the ‘life-changing’ impact on SEND students supported with access to inclusive PE and school sport. The three-year government programme has given more than 70,000 young people, including those with SEND needs, the opportunity to participate in sport.
The programme has included giving pupils access to para-sports as part of festivals of sport. It has brought about a change in support systems, providing opportunities for a range of stakeholders and networks of schools to develop a wealth of insights and experiences.
The programme, named Inclusion 2024, has seen:
- 38.5% of schools reported an increase in the proportion of SEND children achieving 60 mins of activity a day
- 67% of SEND children were achieving 30 mins of activities a day
- 1,417 SEND young people were trained on a youth leadership pathway to give them skills to lead inclusive sports and activity sessions
- 14,616 SEND young people tried para sports and experienced a Paralympic or Commonwealth Games-inspired festival
- 6,411 SEND young people have started a swimming journey with safety advice
- 49,816 young people received life-saving swimming skills
- 28,205 employees in the school workforce supported with professional development
- 5,821 schools have received inclusive PE training
Ali Oliver MBE, Chief Executive at the Youth Sport Trust, said:
“Alongside this, Inclusion 2024 has been building awareness and understanding in young disabled and non-disabled people through inclusive youth leadership training and peer-to-peer coaching. This is not only ensuring the time young disabled people spend in PE lessons or doing sport is meaningful and high quality, but it is also helping them to become healthier and happier by achieving the Chief Medical Officers’ guidance of at least 20 active minutes a day.”
To find out more or access key resources for Inclusion 2024, see here.
