Schools have been urged by the Government and sport organisations to capitalise on the success of the Paralympics and enhance opportunities for disabled students through PE.
The Schools Minister has called on schools to improve PE and school sport opportunities for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) - and to help them to become involved in Paralympics sports.
It follows the Government recently launching a Curriculum and Assessment Review to help tackle the barriers which might be holding any pupils back, including those with SEND.
The review is to consider how best to open up access to subjects such as PE and sport, music, art, and drama.
School Standards Minister, Catherine McKinnell said: “Following a summer of major sporting events including the Olympics and Paralympics, the profound impact sports can have on young people has been clearer than ever – shaping their character and fostering a sense of belonging.
“Every child, regardless of their circumstances, background and abilities should have access to, and benefit from, quality sporting opportunities both inside and outside of school.”
Ms McKinnell owed existing opportunities to organisations, including Youth Sport Trust, ParalympicsGB, Swim England, Activity Alliance and National Association for Special Educational Needs (nasen).
However, schools have been reminded to make the most of support through the Government’s Inclusion 2024 programme to help make their PE more inclusive as connected organisations have also called for action in schools.
Data from Activity Alliance showed just a quarter of schoolchildren with disabilities regularly take part in PE. ParalympicsGB has flagged the issue a concerning one in its recent Equal Play campaign, highlighting that with 1.5 million disabled children comprising 15% of the school population, the scale of the problem is “huge”.
David Clarke, Chief Executive of ParalympicsGB said: “ParalympicsGB, as part of the launch of [its] Equal Play campaign, heard from many education experts that teachers often feel unprepared to deliver inclusive PE due to insufficient training and support. Initiatives like Inclusion 24 are essential to ensure teachers are equipped to support the inclusion of young disabled pupils. We need all schools to be supported to ensure that no disabled child is left on the sidelines.”
Meanwhile, Ali Oliver MBE, Chief Executive Officer at the Youth Sport Trust, said: “I’m proud to say over the last three years, Inclusion 2024 has supported the development of inclusive PE and sport in 5,000 schools through 55,000 interactions - including competitions, staff training, volunteer development and local events.
“In our mission and with support from the Department for Education, we are united in our belief that every child should be able to participate in PE and school sport, and we are determined to work together to make this a reality.”
