Spectrum Sports

Spectrum Sports is a tailored programme of PE & Sport delivery, resourcing, and staff development specifically for the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) sector.

Designed and created by qualified SEND education teachers and experienced Inclusion coaches, Spectrum Sports provides meaningful access to curriculum, participation, and competition in a broad and balanced range of PE & Sport contexts.

All Spectrum Sports delivery and support is derived from and grounded in our SEND PE & Sport Overview, providing a full breakdown of our purpose, approach, and the content available, enhanced on a day-to-day basis by full and robust "sport-specific" Resource Packs - catering for all ages (0-25) and all abilities ( PMLD, ASD, SLD, MLD, and SEMH).

Key Aims

The Spectrum Sports "vision" is to provide meaningful PE and schools sports access and opportunities for all SEND 0-25-year-olds in the greater Bristol area - towards our "dream" where every young person with special educational needs or a disability has variety and choice in sport and physical activity.

The programme operates from 3 cornerstones - high-quality PE and school sports provision, specialist teacher mentoring and staff development, and providing collaborative opportunities city-wide through events, festivals, and network opportunities.

Impact and Outcomes

  • 250+ participants with identified SEND involved in programme delivery weekly.
  • Ongoing delivery partnerships with 13 SEND schools across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
  • Over 500 SEND participants at PE & Sport festivals in 2019/2020.
  • Delivered "world-first" PMLD Sensory Rugby Festival at Ashton Gate Stadium.
  • Continued online, remote and face-to-face delivery throughout COVID 19 pandemic.

Programme Structure

Spectrum Sports is a bespoke programme designed in partnership with each partner school to meet specific PE & Sport needs through outcome-based provision.

Delivery is precluded by staff sharing and mentoring, resource sharing and session preparation. Curriculum content and BBCF Resource Packs are embedded throughout delivery and afterwards remain in-situ as sustainable tools.

City-wide delivery operates on rotating themes derived from our PE & Sport Overview, with all ages and all abilities experiencing appropriately differentiated and delivered activities, leading up to end of term festivals and celebrations.

Recent festivals have focused on the delivery themes of Rugby (16-19 years, SLD), Sensory Rugby (7-19 years, PMLD), Dance (4-19 years, SLD/ASD/PMLD/SEMH), and Tennis (11-16 years, SLD/SEMH).

Testimonials

"Bristol Bears Community Foundation have been providing our pupils with fun and engaging sessions for SEMH pupils for the past 5 Years. All staff are patient, caring and understanding of our pupils needs, ensuring that all are catered for in a professional manner. Pupils look forward to their sessions every week, and we couldn't be without them.' Interim Head of School, North Star 82°
"Working with Bristol Bears Community Foundation is both INCREDIBLE and INSPIRING! Incredible as the team are able to provide provision that is purposeful, relevant, engaging, challenging and fun for our wonderful PMLD and SLD students and inspiring as they are able to find ways to do this for each and every learner at our school! It is a privilege to work alongside the Foundation and long may it continue!" Deputy Headteacher, Claremont School.
"The weekly provision we receive from Bristol Bears' Spectrum Sports has been outstanding. The programme is truly inclusive for all! Student engagement in both the physical and academic components of the programme has been fantastic and being part of the Bristol Bears community is a really integral part of College life at Warmley Park." Head of College, Warmley Park School

Programme Contact Details

For more information relating to PE & Sport delivery, resource support or staff development please contact Kris Tavender.