As the number of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities continues to rise in schools across England, it is essential that educational practitioners feel equipped to create inspiring, accessible, and meaningful physical activity opportunities for every pupil. Yet, with limited time for additional training, staff need concise, relevant guidance that supports them to build their skills efficiently.

To meet this need, The Youth Sport Trust and Activity Alliance have released a newly updated Inclusive Physical Education course. It aims to strengthen practitioners’ knowledge and confidence in delivering inclusive PE and school sport.

Redeveloped with the support of Leeds Beckett University, the original content was developed in partnership with Disability Sport Northern Ireland, Disability Sport Wales, Scottish Disability Sport, Activity Alliance and the Youth Sport Trust.

The suite of modules, codesigned with teachers, explores how to create inclusive learning environments, use inclusive communication, apply models of inclusive practice, and provides space for learners to reflect on their own provision.

More than 600 practitioners have already enrolled, many of whom value the flexibility of the eLearning format. The modules allow learners to progress at their own pace, reflect on their journey towards inclusion, and access additional resources signposted throughout the course to extend their learning.

The completion of the course contributes CIMSPA points, providing practitioners with valuable evidence of professional development for the academic year.

Practitioners have shared the following feedback:

“The Inclusive PE e-learning modules is a great resource to further develop knowledge and understanding of including all young people in PE lessons including SEND.  The modules are interactive with quizzes, videos and reflection tasks which provide a variety of different way to learn.  The modules include practical application of two key inclusive tools to ensure all young people can engage and make progress in lessons (STEP and the Activity Inclusion Model). The modules are able to be completed at any time to your convenience, so you can complete all modules in one go, or a module at a time and you can save your progress at any time. I would recommend this e-learning to any school staff working with SEND young people.”

PE Teacher, London

“The Inclusive PE modules are perfect for Early Career Teachers and experienced PE colleagues to develop their knowledge and understanding of how to adapt teaching and learning, no matter the school setting; allowing all pupils to be included in their school PE lessons and extracurricular clubs is critical and these modules demonstrate the ways in which we can achieve this.”

PE Teacher, Merseyside

Activity Alliance recently released a report that showed only one in four disabled children can always join in school sports. However, it highlighted a strong desire from disabled children and young people to be more active, when the right opportunities and support are in place.

The Inclusive Physical Education course can empower teachers with the right tools, understanding and resources to deliver truly inclusive PE.

The online course is free of charge through the Department for Education’s Inclusion 2028 grant when using the code ipeinclusion2028 until the end of the academic year making now the perfect time to get started! You can find more information about the course, and start your e-learning journey here.