Commenting on a new government programme to improve access to PE and sport for more than 240,000 school pupils with SEND, Sarah Hannafin, head of policy at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“Physical activity is vital to support both the physical and mental health of all children, and while schools work hard to ensure sport and PE lessons are inclusive, this isn’t always straightforward, and any support is welcome.

“School leaders will be keen to see further details of how this programme will work in practice and how schools will be selected to take part. They will need assurances that funding will be sufficient and sustained, including the costs of additional resources, equipment and staffing.

“It will be important that the government shapes a long-term plan to ensure support is in place for all schools to improve the accessibility of lessons for their pupils - not just those participating in this programme.”