We work with schools, practitioners, partners and networks to remove barriers and create opportunities that are inspiring, accessible and meaningful for every young person.
The challenge we're addressing
Not every young person has the same opportunities to be active or the same experience of PE, sport and physical activity.
Gender, ethnicity, disability, affluence and other personal and social factors can all influence whether a young person feels able, confident and welcome to take part. These inequalities can also overlap, creating even greater barriers for some children and young people.
Through our work, we want to help create more inclusive experiences so every young person can enjoy the physical, mental and social benefits of being active.
Did you know?
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Inequalities can compound. Only 40% of children and young people with two or more characteristics of inequality meet the Chief Medical Officers’ physical activity guidelines, compared with 54% of those with none.
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Activity levels are not equal. Girls remain less likely to be active than boys (45% compared with 51%), while Black (42%) and Asian (43%) children and young people are also less likely to be active than the national average.
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Disabled young people can face additional barriers. Just 52% of young people with a disability had attended a before- or after-school physical activity club in the previous six months, significantly fewer than their non-disabled peers.
Training & Resources Hub
Explore programmes, training, resources and other support to help you create more inclusive experiences for children and young people.
Find out more
Lead Inclusion Schools
The Youth Sport Trust’s Lead Inclusion School network promotes inclusive physical education, school sport, and physical activity (PESSPA) across England.
Made up of 54 schools - spanning primary, secondary, and specialist settings - the network empowers educators to create environments where every young person can thrive. Acting as champions of inclusion, these schools support practitioners to develop the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to plan and deliver high-quality, inclusive PESSPA opportunities for all students.
By offering advice, guidance, and local support, the Lead Inclusion Schools aim to increase the opportunities and choices available to young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), enabling them to participate fully in PE, school sport, and physical activity.