Ensure no child is left on the sidelines

Equal Play advocates for teachers to be equipped with the right tools and resources to support the 1.5 million disabled children in the UK to move with competence and confidence.

Disabled children are being left out as pressures mount on teachers to deliver inclusive PE without the training, funding and confidence to do so.

Equal Play in schools

Equal Play was born out of powerful stories shared by Paralympians. While some athletes had inspiring teachers and inclusive PE lessons, many recounted a different experience, unable to fully participate while their classmates enjoyed physical education.

In consultation with experts across education and disability, ParalympicsGB identified four changes that could be made to better support teachers and schools:

Empower teachers with the right tools to deliver truly inclusive PE.
Adapt teacher training to ensure teachers have the skills to deliver inclusive PE.
Redefine how PE is seen within the school curriculum.
Increase the number of disabled people entering the teaching profession.

Play is fundamental to children’s happiness, allowing them to have fun whilst they develop motor skills, build confidence, and improve physical and mental health.

By making these changes, all young people, but particularly young disabled people, will be empowered to move with competence and confidence.

Image of two boys playing boccia. One boy is a wheelchair user and the other is seated on a chair, with his arm outstretched having just bowled the ball.

Only 1 in 4 disabled children say they take part regularly in sport at school.

Lifelong impact

When inclusive PE is delivered, children benefit in so many ways beyond improving physical health:

Helps to develop balance and coordination, social skills and behaviour.
Being active can reduce stress, improve mood, and build self-confidence.
Exercise improves concentration, leading to better academic outcomes.
PE encourages teamwork and communication, helping students build friendships.
Teaching young people to enjoy being active sets them up to stay healthy.

Teenaged girl playing wheelchair basketball. A referee watches her take the shot.

1.5 million disabled children comprise 15% of the school population.

Read ParalympicsGB's Equal Play Schools Sport Policy Paper.

Deliver inclusive PE lesson with Get Set:

Build Your Skills: use these quick 15-minute PE activities to help children aged 5–11 develop essential movement skills – balance, travel and control. The sessions build core physical literacy, laying the foundations for all Olympic and Paralympic sports, or any other physical activity.

Celebrate Your Ability: use the SEND Skills Builder for further guidance on adapting the core 'Build Your Skills' PE sessions, alongside reflective PE activities and challenges which encourage pupils to take pride in their abilities and acknowledge their achievements.

Everyone’s Game: explore role models and representation in sport and get active with children aged 5–11 using traditional games from around the world. Provided with STEP adaption suggestions and guidance throughout to run in inclusive PE sessions.

Royal National Institute of the Blind: a selection of engaging resources developed to support PE teachers who work with young people who are blind or visually impaired.

Challenge perceptions of disability with Get Set:

Be the Change: a suite of resources designed to introduce students aged 11–14 to the social model of disability, to help them understand and take action to remove barriers which create inequality for disabled people in their community.

Paralympic Heroes: primary and secondary resources designed to explore the Paralympic movement, achievements of Paralympians and accessibility in schools.