Ten thousand teachers are to be given training to deliver PE lessons for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as part of a three-year programme.
The Department for Education programme aims to reach 10,000 teachers and more than 240,000 pupils with SEND.
In an interview with Tes last year, David Clarke, chief executive of the British Paralympic Association, said teachers needed more time and funding to level up PE opportunities for pupils with SEND.
The DfE’s Inclusion 2028 Programme will start in the next academic year with initial funding of £300,000.
Making PE more inclusive
The government said a network of 50 Youth Sport Trust lead schools will provide training to teachers to help them create and deliver lessons that meet the diverse needs of all pupils, including those with physical, sensory, cognitive, communication or social and emotional needs.
Tes has asked the DfE how the lead schools were chosen and how other schools can get involved.
In a statement announcing the programme, the DfE said: “In doing this, the programme encourages more varied and creative teaching methods that engage all learners - in turn, improving attendance and creating a school environment where all children can achieve and thrive.”
Inclusion 2028 is to be delivered by a consortium of the Youth Sport Trust, the British Paralympic Association, Swim England, Activity Alliance and nasen and supported by the Association for Physical Education, the National Network of Parent Carer Forums and Sport for Confidence.
Hundreds of extracurricular clubs
The programme also aims to provide opportunities for 1,500 pupils to develop activities for their peers, with schools set to host events inspired by the Paralympic Games and Commonwealth Games.
The government plans to support 600 new extracurricular clubs to open through the programme offering pupils, including those with diverse needs, the opportunity to take part in a range of sports such as tennis, boccia and archery after school.
School standards minister Catherine McKinnell said: “Inclusion 2028 will ensure young people experience the benefits of sport and physical activity, from improved mental wellbeing and teamwork skills to greater resilience.
“By building a generation of teachers with the skills and confidence to deliver high-quality PE and school sport for all pupils, we can ensure that every child gets their chance to shine.”
Paralympian Laura Sugar said: “As a Paralympian and a PE teacher, I see first-hand the importance of inclusive sport for all and access to PE in schools for disabled children, so I’m absolutely delighted to be a part of this campaign which is so close to my heart.
“Growing up as a child with a disability, I have experienced how physical activity can help improve day-to-day life and enhance mobility, as well as social and mental benefits. So it is important that we make PE accessible for all.
Sarah Hannafin, head of policy at the NAHT school leaders’ union, said support for making PE more inclusive was to be welcomed.
“School leaders will be keen to see further details of how this programme will work in practice and how schools will be selected to take part,” she added. “They will need assurances that funding will be sufficient and sustained, including the costs of additional resources, equipment and staffing.”
It will also be important that the government forms a long-term plan to ensure that support is in place for all schools to improve the accessibility of lessons for their pupils - not just those participating in this programme, Ms Hannafin said.
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