Hundreds of thousands of young people in disadvantaged communities across England are set to gain greater access to sport, music, arts, debating, volunteering and outdoor activities
under a new government-backed initiative.
More than 400 secondary schools will receive a combined £22.5 million in funding and tailored support through the Enrichment Expansion Programme, designed to help schools widen the range of activities available to pupils both during and beyond the school day.
The programme will support schools in developing opportunities such as football and other sports teams, music and arts groups, engineering and technology clubs, debating societies, volunteering projects and outdoor education. The government says the initiative is intended to help young people develop confidence, practical skills and stronger connections with their schools and communities.
The investment is targeted particularly at schools serving disadvantaged communities, where pupils can face greater barriers to participating in extracurricular activities.
The initiative follows findings from the government’s State of the Nation survey, which gathered views from more than 14,000 young people. The research highlighted demand for safe spaces, supportive adults, improved access to mental health support and more opportunities to take part in activities outside traditional classroom learning.
Government officials argue that participation in enrichment activities can contribute to young people's engagement with education by giving them opportunities to develop interests, relationships and skills that complement academic learning.
The government has previously committed, through its Youth Matters Strategy, to reducing the gap in participation in enrichment activities between disadvantaged young people and their peers by 2035.
The new programme is being funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and delivered in partnership with the Department for Education (DfE). It forms part of a wider package of measures aimed at increasing access to youth services and activities.
Schools participating in the programme will receive support from dedicated Enrichment Coordinators. Working across groups of local schools, the coordinators will assess existing provision, identify gaps and help schools establish new activities through partnerships with organisations in their communities.
The programme will also support schools in implementing the government's newly introduced Enrichment Benchmarks, which set out practical expectations for providing pupils with access to a broad range of high-quality activities.
Schools Minister Georgia Gould said enrichment should be considered an important part of education alongside classroom teaching.
“A great education is about more than what happens in the classroom. It’s about the football team, the school play, the debate competition, the volunteering project and the outdoor adventure that help young people discover who they are and what they can achieve.”
Gould said the new funding would allow more young people to take part in activities that can help develop confidence and ambition, while supporting their continued engagement with education.
The programme is one element of the government's broader youth policy agenda. Other initiatives include the expansion of Young Futures Hubs and the £132.5 million Every Child Can programme, which is intended to increase children's access to a wider range of activities.
Delivery of the Enrichment Expansion Programme will be led by the Youth Sport Trust, working with a network of national partners. The organisations involved will help participating schools develop stronger links with local providers and expand the opportunities available to pupils.
Five Enrichment Ambassadors will also contribute to the initiative, representing areas including arts and culture, sport and physical activity, nature and outdoor adventure, civic engagement, and wider life and future skills. Their role will include promoting participation and sharing examples of effective enrichment programmes.
Minister for Young People, Vicky Foxcroft said:
“Through our landmark State of a Nation survey we heard from more than 14,000 young people who told us that they feel they are missing out on safe, supportive environments where they can connect with others and find a community to belong to.
Every young person should have somewhere to go, something to do and someone they can trust, where they can discover new interests that help them develop the confidence they need to thrive.
That’s why we’re supporting more than 400 schools to develop their enrichment offers, helping thousands more children access activities and opportunities that build skills, confidence and a stronger sense of belonging”.
Jan Shadick, chief executive of Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South, said extracurricular opportunities should be available to all pupils rather than being dependent on their circumstances.
Arts and Culture Enrichment Ambassador Marcus Davey CBE highlighted the role schools can play in connecting young people with cultural organisations and creative opportunities. He said stronger partnerships between schools, cultural institutions and local organisations could help extend access to enrichment activities.
Ali Oliver MBE, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said the organisation would work with government and partner organisations to broaden enrichment provision, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.
According to Oliver, participation in enrichment can support wider aspects of school life, including attendance, behaviour and academic achievement, while helping young people develop interests and skills relevant to education, employment and everyday life.
The government says the programme is ultimately intended to reduce disparities in access to enrichment and ensure that a child's opportunities are less dependent on their background or where they live. Photo by Petey21, Wikimedia commons.
