Schools need funding for extra curricula clubs

According to a report by the EPI, the government should consider supporting schools to offer an extended school day to improve access to extra-curricular activities.

This includes through additional funding weighted towards schools with more disadvantaged intakes.

The report examines which students are accessing extra-curricular activities during secondary school and the longer-term outcomes of students who do participate.

It finds that vulnerable students were less likely to attend both sports clubs, and clubs for hobbies, arts and music, when compared to their peers. This includes students eligible for free school meals, those with lower prior attainment, and those with poorer health and special educational needs or disabilities.

Participation in extra-curricular activities varies by school type. Students from independent schools were much more likely to attend sports clubs and clubs for hobbies, arts and music than those attending all other types of schools. Additionally, students in local authority-maintained schools were less likely to attend clubs for hobbies, arts and music than students in academies.

Attending extra-curricular clubs during secondary school is associated with a range of positive outcomes when young people are in their early twenties. Students who attend clubs have a higher probability of progressing to higher education and being in employment, as well as higher levels of participation in sports.  The research also finds an association between attending some kinds of clubs and self-reported poorer health as a young adult.

The report also says that the government should introduce a set of benchmarks for extracurricular activities to support good quality provision that is accessible and appealing to a broad spectrum of students. These could be similar to the Gatsby benchmarks that are used to support good quality careers information, advice and guidance.