1. We were delighted to join School Standards Minister Catherine McKinnell at Southfields Academy, to mark the launch of the Inclusion 2028 programme. With a focus on improving access to PE and school sport for pupils with special educational needs and ambition to support more than 240,00 pupils across a three-year period, Inclusion 2028 can help ensure every child benefits from opportunities to be active. The Youth Sport Trust is proud to be leading a consortium to deliver Inclusion 2028, alongside partners ParalympicsGB, Swim England, Activity Alliance and nasen, and supported by the Association for PE and Sport for Confidence.

2. As the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill progresses through the House of Lords, we have shared a briefing with Peers indicating where proposed amendments can support more children to be physically active and improve their wellbeing. Ideas include Lord O’Donnell’s call for a National Wellbeing Measurement programme for children and young people, Baroness Lister’s amendment to ensure the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child is considered when developing policy, and Lord Addington’s proposal for breakfast clubs to include enrichment activities.

3. To support the National Listening Exercise being delivered to inform the development of the new National Youth Strategy, we shared findings from sessions the Youth Sport Trust delivered with young people including at our Leadership Camp, with our Youth Board, and with young people in alternative provision settings. The key message we heard was that whilst today’s environment may be challenging, young people remain optimistic about what the future has in store, and believe physical activity is key in helping them develop skills, improve wellbeing and make connections, building belonging.

4. In addition, our CEO Ali Oliver MBE and Sara from our Youth Board joined officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and other stakeholders from the world of physical activity for a Deep Dive session exploring how the forthcoming National Youth Strategy can include opportunities to take part in sport. These sessions, alongside the National Listening Exercise, are expected to inform an interim report published in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, the Government has announced a youth funding package for the 2025/26 financial year.

5. Our Head of Wellbeing Chris Wright joined other leaders from the National Sector Partners Group for a session of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Sport and Physical Activity. Chaired by Rachel Taylor MP, the meeting was focused on the economic value of sport and physical activity, and how the sector’s contribution and potential can be further realised by the forthcoming Spending Review. Strategic investment supporting more children and young people to be physically active can help make progress against the Government’s missions, as well as the ambition to create the healthiest and happiest generation of young people.

6. We joined Play England in Parliament for the launch of their new strategy, and announced a new partnership aligning our strategic priorities and ambitions. We will work together to embed the principle of ‘play sufficiency’ within the school day, and support schools to create and harness more unstructured, active and playful moments every day.

7. With National School Sports Week getting closer, we released research showing three-quarters of parents would support schools adopting an Always Active Uniform policy, to encourage more active and healthier lifestyles for children. As our National School Sport Champion Sir Mo Farah said: “A simple change like this could have a huge impact on children’s health, confidence, and happiness. I'd encourage all schools to sign-up for National School Sports Week and rethink how we can build more movement into every child’s day."

8. Finally, at 12.00pm on Monday 9 June we are holding a webinar to explore the 2025 state of the nation for physical activity, PE and school sport. Join us to hear what young people are really saying, the impact of digital distractions and wellbeing concerns, and the implications for audiences including policy makers, educators, sector leaders and funders.

If you have any questions about the topics covered above, please contact [email protected]