As reported by the Department for Education, young people in some of England’s most disadvantaged communities are set to have greater access to activities beyond the classroom, as the government puts £22.5 million behind a new expansion of school enrichment
The funding will reach more than 400 secondary schools, with support directed towards those facing the biggest challenges in providing extracurricular opportunities.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is providing the funding in partnership with the Department for Education. The programme will also support this year’s new enrichment benchmarks, which set expectations for schools around the opportunities available to pupils.
Schools will be able to use the programme to widen their offer across the school week, with activities including sport, music, debating, volunteering and outdoor experiences.
The investment is intended to address differences in access to enrichment, with the government arguing that pupils should not miss out on opportunities because of where they live or the circumstances they face.
Research published in the 2025 State of the Nation report, based on the views of more than 14,000 young people, found strong demand for safe spaces, supportive adults, mental health provision and activities that allow young people to develop interests outside the classroom.
The government says participation in these activities can support wider development by giving pupils opportunities to learn new skills, form connections and take on interests beyond their academic studies.
