IAP builds confidence to make activity more inclusive in Nottingham
Teachers, teaching assistants and support staff from primary schools across Nottinghamshire have strengthened their confidence in delivering inclusive sports and activities following an Activity Alliance Inclusive Activity Programme (IAP) workshop.
Organised by Active Notts, the workshop took place at Barnby Road Academy in Newark. It was the final Inclusion 2028 workshop funded by the Youth Sport Trust.
The session gave education professionals the opportunity to explore practical approaches to including children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in PE, sport and physical activity.
At the start of the workshop, participants were asked to rate their confidence and knowledge in delivering inclusive physical activity. Many rated themselves as having low confidence and knowledge.
By the end of the session, every participant rated their confidence and knowledge as high.
The group actively took part throughout the workshop, sharing experiences and ideas from their own schools. Discussions explored some of the challenges they face in delivering inclusive opportunities, as well as what they could do differently as a result of the session.
For many participants, the STEP and AIM models were new. They found the practical tools useful in helping them consider how they can adapt activities and their approach to better support individual pupils.
Workshop tutor Pete Edwards said:
“I could see they were fully engaged, even more so when I mentioned they had already started thinking about Student Voice, the 10 Principles and STEP.”
He also highlighted the positive response to the AIM model, with participants recognising how it could support their planning in the future.
For Active Notts, the workshop provided an important opportunity to respond to the needs of practitioners working in schools.
Naomi Jones, Young People Strategic Lead at Active Notts, said:
“There is a real desire from practitioners within Notts to be inclusive in the delivery of PE, sport and physical activity opportunities particularly in relation to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.”
She added that the workshop allowed practitioners to share challenges, explore different approaches and take away practical tools to support inclusive delivery in their own settings.
With increasing numbers of children and young people with a range of different needs learning in mainstream settings, Naomi highlighted the importance of ensuring they can take part in physical activity alongside their peers.
“Equipping those who are supporting these young people with the knowledge and confidence on how to be inclusive is important in creating environments where all young people are having a positive experience.”
The workshop provided participants with new tools, ideas and increased confidence to help create more inclusive opportunities for children and young people across Nottinghamshire.
