Preparing for the New School Year with Inclusive PE and Sport Environments
As the summer holidays draw to a close, many of us take a moment to pause, reflect, and recharge before the familiar rhythm of the school year returns. The buzz of fresh timetables, packed pencil cases, and new beginnings often brings both excitement and a few nerves, not only for pupils but for staff too.
A new academic year offers a valuable opportunity to reset and refocus. It’s a chance to grow professionally, embrace new challenges, and support every pupil to flourish. One key area for development is how we can ensure our classrooms, and particularly our PE and sport environments, are inclusive and supportive of all learners.
With the number of pupils identified as having special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) rising to 19.5%, it’s more important than ever that educational practitioners are equipped with the knowledge and tools to meet the diverse needs within their settings. A recent Teacher Tapp survey revealed that four in five teachers want more guidance on how to support pupils with SEND.
To help you feel confident and prepared, Kelly Fellows, Development Manager at the Youth Sport Trust, has highlighted five free resources available through the Inclusion 2028* grant to support inclusive practice in PE, school sport, and physical activity:
A free, easy-to-use platform offering a wide range of resources for those working in PE and sport. Practitioners can take a short self-assessment on inclusive practice, which then recommends tailored resources to enhance their future delivery.
This digital e-learning resource, developed by the Youth Sport Trust and endorsed by the National Autistic Society, builds understanding of autism and its implications for PE and sport. It includes three modules exploring:
- Language and communication
- Social interaction
- Sensory processing
It’s ideal for staff looking to build their confidence in supporting pupils with autism spectrum conditions (ASC).
A practical, online resource designed to support inclusive activity using the STEP (Space, Task, Equipment, People) framework (Youth Sport Trust, 2002).
With the access code YSTINCLUSION25, schools can unlock videos, activity ideas, and downloadable content that help embed inclusive strategies into everyday practice.
This series of e-learning modules, created in collaboration with Activity Alliance, introduce key concepts around inclusive PE, including:
- What inclusion means in practice
- Different models of inclusion
- Reflective tools to plan and improve your delivery
Access is available using the code ipeinclusion2028.
5. Supporting PE: An Introduction for Teaching Assistants
Created by teaching assistants for teaching assistants, this bitesize e-learning course, created in collaboration with Activity Alliance, provide practical guidance on inclusive PE, featuring real-world examples from Youth Sport Trust Lead Inclusion Schools.
Use the code tainclusion2028 to access the modules.
Local Support from Lead Inclusion Schools
In addition to these online tools, the Youth Sport Trust works with a national network of Lead Inclusion Schools (one in every county in England) offering local CPD opportunities and championing inclusive practice.
To find out more about the Inclusion 2028 programme or to connect with your local Youth Sport Trust Lead Inclusion School, get in touch with the Youth Sport Trust Inclusion Team at: [email protected]
As we prepare for the new school year ahead, it's essential to ensure that every child feels valued and included, particularly in physical education and school sport - an area that plays a vital role in building confidence, connection, and lifelong healthy habits. By taking the time to strengthen our own understanding and inclusive practice, we can create positive, supportive environments where all pupils have the opportunity to thrive at school.
*Inclusion 2028 is a grant funded by the Department for Education to improve the chances and choices for young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities in physical education, school sport and physical activity.