The Youth Sport Trust Lead Inclusion School network consists of 53 Lead Inclusion Schools, one in each county, consisting of expertise from mainstream primary, secondary, specialist and alternative provision settings. Each Lead Inclusion School is a champion for inclusive practice within the county, working to enhance the knowledge and confidence of educational practitioners in delivering inclusive PE, school sport, and physical activity. Their goal is to expand opportunities for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and create environments where every young person can thrive.

On Monday 22^nd September 2025, 48 Youth Sport Trust Lead Inclusion Schools came together at Northampton Saints Stadium, joined by Inclusion Development Coaches and ASK Research Partners. All were united by a shared mission: to improve the chances and choices for pupils with SEND in physical education, school sport and physical activity.

The conference began with Lead Inclusion Schools proudly reflecting on their achievements over the past year. Highlights included:

• A crew of young people from a specialist provision in Croydon have completed the 22 mile Great River Race across London raising £1,000 for The Sickle Cell Society.
• The creation of a community swimming club tailored for SEND pupils and families, now attracting up to 25 families each month.
• Securing the first-ever platinum School Games Mark in West Yorkshire as a Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre.
• Working with School Games Organisers to launch a new county-wide inclusion calendar, providing specialist provisions with more tailored opportunities.

Ali Oliver, CEO of the Youth Sport Trust, continued the theme of celebration by showcasing key successes from the summer of Inclusion 2028. Inclusion 2028 is funded by the Department for Education which aims to improve the chances and choices for young people with SEND in physical education (PE), school sport and physical activity working with PE leads, teachers, teaching assistants, special educational needs and disability coordinators and practitioners working in inclusive sport.

Highlights to date include:

• 2075 young leaders have been trained to deliver inclusive sport, 643 (31%) of whom have SEND
• 22,438 pupils have participated in inclusive activities, including 13,020 with SEND.
• 2,316 teachers and 1,111 teaching assistants trained in inclusive practices.

The day also provided a valuable platform for schools to explore collaborative opportunities with local partners, empower young people with SEND as leaders, and co-create inclusive sports festivals. Delegates discussed how to incorporate upcoming initiatives, including new investment from Sport England to deliver I AM (Inspiring, Accessible, and Meaningful) Leaders Festivals, aimed at increasing the number of young leaders with SEND involved in the design and delivery of school sport. The conference also spotlighted The Football Association’s (FA) inclusive football programmes, part of their A Game Free From Discrimination strategy. Through these discussions, delegates shared ideas on how and when to embed these initiatives into their local provision, expanding access and impact. This networking opportunity enabled schools to enhance their inclusion strategies and further the reach of Inclusion 2028, ensuring all young people have equitable opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity.

When reflecting on the day, Kelly Fellows, Development Manager for Inclusion (SEND) at the Youth Sport Trust shared:

“You could feel the powerful energy in the room. Bringing likeminded individuals together, all passionate about making a difference for young people, should never be underestimated. The conference provided a space for the network to share ideas, navigate challenges within the sector and seek new partnerships to amplify the message of Inclusion 2028 in the year ahead.”

Feedback from attendees has been incredibly positive. One person shared:

“I thought yesterday was really well pitched. Lots of energy and positive vibes in the room. Looking forward to the year ahead.” 

Another shared:

“I just wanted to say how well yesterday’s conference went. We are appreciative of all the hard work which had gone into the preparation and how you have listened and put into place solutions and actions on feedback from them. Going forward we have a united network inspired, motivated and comfortable to ask for help and challenge positively.”

In a busy and ever-evolving sector, the conference showcased the power of in-person connection and offered a rare moment to pause, reflect, and strategically plan for the future. As the new academic year begins, it’s clear the Youth Sport Trust Lead Inclusion Schools are feeling energised, connected with their regional teams and Inclusion Development Coaches, and equipped with the resources needed to make a lasting impact.

Find out more about Inclusion 2028 or email the Youth Sport Trust Inclusion Team on [email protected] to find out who your local Youth Sport Trust Lead Inclusion School is.