Hundreds of thousands of young people in disadvantaged communities are set to gain access to a wider range of activities, including sports, music, debating, and outdoor adventures. This initiative is supported by a £22.5 million investment through the government's Enrichment Expansion Programme.
More than 400 secondary schools will receive tailored support to broaden opportunities for pupils. This funding will enable schools to offer more activities during or after the school day, such as music groups, engineering clubs, debating societies, football teams, volunteering projects, and outdoor learning programmes.
The programme, funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and delivered in partnership with the Department for Education, is part of the government's Youth Matters Strategy. This strategy, launched in December last year, aims to halve the participation gap in enriching activities between disadvantaged young people and their peers by 2035.
Schools Minister Georgia Gould stated that a great education extends beyond the classroom, encompassing activities that help young people discover their potential. Minister for Young People, Vicky Foxcroft, highlighted that the initiative responds to findings from the State of the Nation survey, where over 14,000 young people expressed a desire for safe spaces and greater access to enriching activities.
The programme will be delivered by the Youth Sport Trust and national partners, with dedicated Enrichment Coordinators managing clusters of local schools. These coordinators will identify gaps, develop enrichment plans, and connect with local partners to expand opportunities for pupils.