ParalympicsGB announces new Equal Play recommendations for school PE ahead of Government curriculum consultation

ParalympicsGB has launched a series of new and updated recommendations for government to ensure every child has equal access to physical education at school.  

With the Government expected to begin consultation on the national curriculum before the end of the year the recommendations provide a real opportunity to establish a truly inclusive education system where all children can equally take part in PE and school sport.  

The new proposals were developed in collaboration with the Association for PE, Activity Alliance and the Lawn Tennis Association, as well as teachers and Paralympic athletes, GB Wheelchair tennis player Ruby Bishop, and supported by Marie Tidball MP and Alice Macdonald MP. They form a critical part of ParalympicsGB’s Equal Play campaign which calls for equal access to PE and school sport for the 1.5 million disabled children who make up more than 15% of the school population. 

Research carried out by Activity Alliance revealed that only 1 in 4 disabled children regularly take part in PE and school sport, while research by ParalympicsGB found that 4 in 5 teachers have received no PE-specific inclusion training and 95% of teachers face structural barriers such as staffing, space and equipment. Fewer than 1 in 10 teachers feel very confident delivering Para sport. 

David Clarke, ParalympicsGB CEO said: “We know the positive impact participation in sport brings to health and happiness, which is why every child should be able to take part in PE and sport at school. ParalympicsGB’s Equal Play campaign has developed a clear set of recommendations to drive this positive change and make sure no child is left on the sidelines, and every teacher has the tools to support them.”

Kate Thornton-Bousfield, CEO of the Association for Physical Education (afPE) said: “The Equal Play recommendations place inclusion where it belongs, at the heart of physical education. To achieve truly equitable access to high-quality PE, we must invest in the people who deliver it. By strengthening initial teacher education, providing sustained professional development and creating more inclusive pathways into the profession, we can equip the workforce with the confidence and expertise needed to ensure every child and young person can thrive through physical education. Inclusion is not an add-on; it is fundamental to high-quality PE for all.”

Adam Blaze, CEO of Activity Alliance said: “Sport should belong to everyone. Yet too many disabled children and adults are denied the enjoyment, friendships and sense of belonging that being active can bring. Exclusion at school can impact confidence, motivation and opportunities to be active for a lifetime. That also means removing barriers and building a teaching workforce that better reflects the communities it serves, with more disabled people supported to enter, stay and thrive in the profession. Representation matters, alongside the training, resources and accessible facilities teachers need to make inclusion a reality. We join the call on government and partners across education to turn these recommendations into action.”

Matt Elkington, EDI Programme Manager for Disabled People, LTA said: ”We know that schools have the biggest influence on children and young people, after their parents, so it is incredibly important that every child has access to high-quality PE and school sport. But currently three-quarters of disabled children don’t take part in PE and school sport, which we need to change. Inclusion of disabled people sits at the heart of our vision of tennis and padel opened up, and it is embedded in our LTA Youth schools programme. We support the work of wheelchair tennis player Ruby Bishop to make PE and school sport more accessible, and we fully endorse ParalympicsGB’s Equal Play campaign.”

Alice Macdonald MP said: “Sports and PE have enormous benefits for young people. But too many disabled kids are missing out on this opportunity because many lessons are not inclusive enough. Even small changes could make the difference to many more kids being able to take part. I’m campaigning, alongside my constituent, GB Wheelchair Player, Ruby Bishop to make sure that more young people get the chance to discover their sporting potential. The recommendations we have worked on alongside ParalympicsGB and fellow parliamentarian Marie Tidball set out a practical pathway to achieving this.”

Marie Tidball MP said: “Inclusive sport is so important to me. When I was in school, I was left to referee netball and hockey matches for my non-disabled classmates. There was no understanding that I might be able to join in too, as a disabled person.

“It’s been a privilege to work with ParalympicsGB and fantastic campaigners like Ruby Bishop to ensure that every child has access to sport and PE in schools. The Government’s Inclusion 2028 programme has already kickstarted this work, to improve teacher training and resources for children with SEND in PE lessons. The Government’s SEND reforms also aim to create a more inclusive setting in mainstream schools, including improving accessible changing facilities, to ensure no child is left on the sidelines.”

The full recommendations can be found at Equal Play Recommendations to Government