LJMU shares expertise at roundtable to advance inclusive PE in schools

Andrew Newland, a Senior Lecturer and Subject Lead for Physical Education (PE) with LJMU’s School of Education, represented the university at a parliamentary roundtable focused on improving disabled children’s participation in school sport.

The roundtable, convened by ParalympicsGB, brought together researchers, teacher educators, and representatives from organisations such as the Youth Sport Trust, exploring how initial teacher training can better prepare teachers to deliver inclusive PE and sport.

Andrew said: “It was a real privilege to represent LJMU and to share insights from our work in PE teacher education and inclusive practice.

Inclusion is a core theme throughout the PE Initial Teacher Education curriculum at LJMU. Students explore these concepts in depth, supported by the latest research in inclusive PE practice.

Andrew Newland, Senior Lecturer and Subject Lead for PE at LJMU

"The university has developed strong partnerships with organisations such as the Youth Sport Trust and Activity Alliance, which deliver specialist workshops for our students. These sessions allow student teachers to engage directly with experts, gaining insight into innovative strategies, practical techniques, and sector-leading approaches they can apply in schools.

“Recently, LJMU has strengthened partnerships with local specialist schools and sports colleges for children with special educational needs, giving students hands-on experience and the opportunity to work alongside teachers with expertise in supporting learners with SEND, complementing their main placement experience.”

Hosted in Westminster by Marie Tidball MP, the event furthers ParalympicsGB’s Equal Play campaign which found that only 1 in 4 disabled children take part in sport at school, and they are calling on the UK Government to commit to equal access to PE for every child, so that by the LA 2028 Paralympic Games, no disabled child is left on the sidelines.