The government is investing an additional £22.5 million in its Enrichment Expansion programme, which will help schools in disadvantaged areas broaden opportunities for pupils by putting on more activities during the school day or after school.
These can range from music groups, engineering clubs and debating societies to football teams, volunteering projects and outdoor learning programmes.
It is hoped that by building confidence, skills and a sense of belonging, these experiences can help keep young people engaged in education and set them up for future success.
The programme speaks to the findings of the State of the Nation survey of more than 14,000 young people, which found that young people want safe spaces, trusted adults, better mental health support and greater access to enriching activities. Yet too many are still missing out because of where they live or the barriers they face.
Funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), delivered in partnership with the Department for Education (DfE), the Enrichment Expansion programme’s additional funding and support is part of this solution, helping those schools facing the greatest challenges to deliver a wide range of high-quality enrichment opportunities, in line with this year’s new benchmarks for every school.
Schools Minister Georgia Gould said: "This investment will help hundreds of thousands more young people access the activities that build confidence, spark ambition and open up opportunities for the future, helping more children stay on track in education and fulfil their potential."
Both the Enrichment Benchmarks and the Enrichment Expansion programme form part of the government’s mission to ensure that every young person has somewhere to go, something to do and sense of community.
The programme will be delivered by the Youth Sport Trust and a team of national partners, with dedicated Enrichment Co-ordinators managing clusters of local schools to identify gaps in their current offer, develop enrichment plans, and connect with local partners to expand opportunities for their pupils.
As part of the funding, schools will receive tailored support to strengthen and grow their enrichment provision, helping more children access high-quality experiences both in and beyond the classroom who otherwise would not have been able to do so.
The investment will support schools to deliver the opportunities outlined in the government’s new Enrichment Benchmarks, announced earlier this year, which provide practical guidance to help every child access high-quality enrichment opportunities as part of their education.
