The Unified Champion Schools programme promotes social inclusion by bringing together pupils with and without special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) through sport. It is a movement that aims to reshape how young people understand inclusion, leadership and community.

A Unified Champion School is one that commits to embedding inclusion into school life. The programme weaves inclusion into the fabric of the school through three core pillars:

1.     Unified Sports

2.     Inclusive Youth Leadership

3.     Whole School Engagement

The Youth Sport Trust Lead Inclusion School network (a school representative in each county who champions inclusive provision for all) are responsible for the delivery of this programme in 18 counties across England. By organising unified sport festivals, each school will create opportunities for young people with and without SEND to meet and form new friendships, collaborate towards shared goals and play together in a welcoming environment.

This video from a unified football festival hosted by Youth Sport Trust Lead Inclusion Schools in the North East demonstrates the impact of these festivals on both staff and young people.

Taking inspiration from the festival, young leaders will then bring the unified principles into their own school community through inclusive activities for their peers.

Speaking about the power of Unified Champion Schools, Beck Bennett, Inclusive Education Development Officer at Special Olympics GB, said, “The Unified Champion Schools programme has huge potential to transform attitudes towards intellectual disability through the power of sport and education.

“By bringing young people together in inclusive environments, we’re not only creating opportunities to play and lead side-by-side, but also helping to build understanding, confidence and lasting friendships. Through last year’s pilot initiative we’ve already seen the impact of the programme, and there is enormous potential to expand that impact right across the country.”

To recognise learning disability week 2026, we are launching the Unified Champion Schools relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education resource. This resource outlines how the Unified Champion Schools programme compliments the RSE and health education guidance in England and provides practitioners with classroom activities that build belonging and understanding amongst pupils. By using this resource, schools can engage the wider school community in creating an inclusive learning environment for all pupils.

Rebecca Tyers, Programme Officer for Inclusion at the Youth Sport Trust said, "It is vital all young people can enjoy the benefits of PE, school sport and physical activity. The Unified Champion Schools programme promotes inclusion by ensuring the principles of teamwork, respect and friendship are embedded not just within sport but across the whole school. We are pleased to launch the RSE and health education resource alongside Special Olympics GB, and we are looking forward to seeing how schools use this resource to promote belonging and understanding amongst peers."

Research from Special Olympics Global shows that schools adopting the Unified Champion Schools model experience;

• Reduced bullying
• Increased social inclusion
• Better school climate
• Positive interactions between students

At its heart the Unified Champion Schools programme has a simple but transformative idea: when young people with and without SEND learn, lead and play together, everyone benefits.

To find out more about Unified Champion Schools visit: https://www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk/sports-and-competition/unified-champion-schools

Download the Unified Champion Schools RSE and health education resource here.