Inclusive sport programme having a positive affect

EB News: 10/05/2021 - 10:24

New data looking at the impact of the Inclusion 2020 programme, which is funded by the Department for Education and run by the Youth Sport Trust, has shown it is having a positive affect on enabling young people with and without Special Educational Needs and Disabilities access sport and training.

Analysis of the data has shown that in the last 10 months alone, the programme saw 10,000 young people access inclusive festivals within their school or home for the first time amid the pandemic.

It has also trained 2,163 young people (32% with SEND) to lead sports sessions and coach their peers through fun sports festivals, and given 23,827 young people (42% with SEND) the opportunity to try para sports like Boccia, New Age Kurling and para skiing.

The programme has also started 2,170 young people with SEND on their learn to swim journey, and supported 9,328 schools with continuing professional development to ensure sport and Physical Education is inclusive to every child.

The Inclusion 2020 programme sees a network of YST Lead Inclusion Schools, each recognised as inclusion champions and visionaries for what high quality, meaningful and inclusive PE and school sport should look like for every child, working directly with young people, parents, organisations and other schools to ensure that having a disability does not reduce a young person’s opportunity to benefit from high-quality PE, sport and physical activity.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: “I’m pleased to see the positive impact our Inclusion 2020 programme has had on children with special educational needs and disabilities, allowing them to take part more easily in sport and learn new skills like swimming. These activities are so important not just for physical and mental wellbeing, but also for developing the resilience to tackle challenges later in life.

“Physical activity and wellbeing goes hand in hand with academic success – that’s why we launched our ambitious School Sport and Activity Action Plan and why we are investing more than £10 million to help open existing school sports and swimming facilities as national restrictions ease.”