Cookies help our website to remember you and your preferences. For more information or to update your cookie settings, please go to our privacy policy.

Accept Decline
Skip to content.

The national charity and leading voice for disabled people in sport and activity

Menu. Open and close this menu with the ENTER key.

Panathlon charity creates positive 'ripple effect'

New independent research shows the Panathlon charity’s sporting competitions have a ‘ripple effect’ that reaches deep into schools and communities and drives transformational change for children with disabilities and special needs across England and Wales.

A group of disabled and SEN children take part in an adapted version of table tennis at school

In the last academic year, Panathlon, the national charity which gives young people with disabilities and special educational needs the opportunity to take part in competitive sport, gave a record 62,981 pupils the opportunity to take part in competitive sport. Now, a new report by Bean Research has revealed that a further 51,164 children benefited from the ‘ripple effect’ its competitions have on schools, families and communities – making its total reach an unprecedented 114,145.

This ‘ripple effect’ is achieved through the impact the charity has on the environment and practices at participating schools. Evidence shows Panathlon is a catalyst for schools to change their curriculum, invest in sports equipment, assess and benchmark children’s development, create leadership roles and programmes, upskill teachers, initiate inter-school SEND fixtures and open up facilities and opportunities to the community.

The report proves that Panathlon’s reach goes far beyond just providing opportunities for pupils with SEND to take part in competitive sport. It is also:

  • Having profound effects on pupils’ education and development.
  • Reducing inequalities for children in areas of social deprivation and geographical isolation.
  • Providing choice so that children with all kinds of impairments have activity that meets their needs.
  • Improving the competence and confidence of school staff in delivering inclusive PE and sport.

The report shows Panathlon is driving real change for those who need it most and bucking the trends of declining physical activity – especially amongst SEND children.

Panathlon Chief Operating Officer, Tony Waymouth, commented:

“We know that young people with SEND are facing huge barriers to being physically active since Covid. We are incredibly proud to offer a range of programmes that break down these barriers, meet the government’s new Get Active strategy objectives and have a positive ripple effect on entire school environments. With our ever-expanding reach, we are effecting profound change in the sphere of SEND.”

 Read the full story and download the Impact Report on Panathlon’s website

Photo credit: Panathlon