GALLERY: Inclusion sessions at Lyminster Primary

Children at a Littlehampton school have been given the chance to find out what it is like playing sport with a disability.
DM16110820a Blind football at Lyminster Primary SchoolDM16110820a Blind football at Lyminster Primary School
DM16110820a Blind football at Lyminster Primary School

Pupils in years five and six at Lyminster Primary School took part in inclusion sessions, playing blind football and sitting volleyball.

The workshops were run by a group of five sports science students from Chichester University.

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Carol Rusbridge, PE co-ordinator, said the degree students were using the hands-on sessions as part of their dissertation.

DM16110820a Blind football at Lyminster Primary SchoolDM16110820a Blind football at Lyminster Primary School
DM16110820a Blind football at Lyminster Primary School

“The boys from Chichester University are in the third year of their degree. They approached me and asked if the school would be interested in taking part in these inclusion sessions.

“I thought it would be a fantastic experience for the children to see what it is like in that situation, because they have no idea really. They absolutely loved it and enjoyed the experience but realised how difficult it would be without your legs.”

She explained that part if the thinking behind it was that children in years five and six are building up to secondary school, where they are more likely to see people with a disability.

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“In primary school, they are not used to seeing anyone in a wheelchair, especially in a school like this with one-form entry,” added Mrs Rusbridge.

DM16110820a Blind football at Lyminster Primary SchoolDM16110820a Blind football at Lyminster Primary School
DM16110820a Blind football at Lyminster Primary School

“So the university boys came along to do blind football and sitting volleyball with them.”

Some of the pupils from Lyminster will move on to The Angmering School, which has a special unit for people with disabilities, others will go on to The Littlehampton Academy.

Chichester University was one of the first institutions in the UK to develop a sports related degree programme.

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The sport and exercise science option, endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences, aims to develop sports science graduates who have the scientific theory and practical skills required to work as sport scientists, supporting individuals or teams towards peak performance, or to work as health and exercise professionals within exercise referral schemes promoting an active lifestyle.

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