This evaluation assessed Project Ability, an initiative which aims to increase opportunities for young people with SEND to participate and progress in and through PE and school sport and enhance the skills and confidence of the school sport workforce.

This research assessed the impact of Project Ability on young people’s engagement in PE, leadership and advocacy roles and on teachers’ confidence and competence to deliver inclusive practice. The research incorporated bespoke surveys, site visits, focus groups and interviews, with the provision of a participant storyboard activity to enhance engagement and showcase achievements.

Key Findings

• Project Ability trained almost 4,700 members of the school sport workforce and just under 2,200 young leaders to provide sporting opportunities to around 5,900 young people
• Since taking part in Project Ability, two-thirds of young participants said they ‘love’ playing sport and around three-quarters said they play more sports and games (75%) and want to play more sports and games (73%) than before
• After taking part in Step into Sport, over three-quarters of young leaders think being active is important (82%) and just under three-quarters think taking part in fun activities is important (73%) ‘a lot’
• The programme had also impacted positively participant’s availability to learn, with significant increases in the percentage of participants who like listening to others and learning at school ‘a lot’
• Over three-quarters of teachers (77%) believe the programme had helped participants to become confident and competent leaders and provided a platform for them to support the School Games and events

Date: 2016 – March 2017

Client: Youth Sport Trust