A CHINESE university has been working with the University of Worcester to learn about its inclusive ethos

Beijing Sports University recently hosted the first International Inclusive Sport Education Symposium, delivered in partnership with the University of Worcester, which has become known as a world leader in the field of inclusive sport and educational development.

Beijing Sports University is one of the world’s most successful universities in producing Olympic and Paralympic gold medallists.

The main focus of the meeting was on developing inclusive practice when teaching children with impairments.

Mick Donovan, deputy pro vice chancellor and head of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Worcester, said: “We have been working with Beijing Sports University for eight years, and while they are probably one of the most successful sports universities in the world, in terms of producing gold medallists, they also share our belief that everyone has the right to take part in sport.

“At the University of Worcester, we have a very strong ethos of inclusion in all that we do and currently have over 300 students who engage in disability sport courses or modules within their degrees.

"We decided that we could make a global impact in terms of educating sports teachers and coaches to be more inclusive in their practice and the symposium was certainly a very significant first step.”

At the event, the University of Worcester also launched its new book, The Worcester Way, aimed at sharing good practice and principles for inclusive practice with PE teachers, students and coaches from around the world.