Enrichment benchmarks: no government commitment on funding for schools

The government cannot confirm whether schools will receive direct funding to support its ambitious “enrichment benchmarks”.

The benchmarks, published today alongside a broader enrichment framework, create new expectations for schools to provide activities across five different categories.

These are: civic engagement; arts and culture; nature, outdoor and adventure; life and future skills; and sport and physical activities.

However, when asked by Tes, the government did not confirm whether the £132.5 million funding pot will be given directly to schools or to external supporting organisations.

It has, however, clarified that Ofsted will not inspect against the benchmarks when they are introduced this September, meaning the benchmarks will not be as strictly applied as schools had feared.

Tes understands that meeting the new enrichment framework will not be a requirement for schools to receive an “expected standard” or above under Ofsted’s grading criteria.

The enrichment benchmarks for schools

A new government programme called Every Child Can will fund activities within schools and also in local communities and during school holidays.

All enrichment offers will have to align with the following eight benchmarks:

• A strategically-aligned enrichment offer
• A broad and well-rounded enrichment offer
• A well-communicated enrichment offer that celebrates participation and achievement
• An enrichment offer shaped by the school or college community
• An accessible and engaging enrichment offer
• An enrichment offer that works in partnership
• An outcomes-focused enrichment offer
• A continually improving enrichment offer.

Children who attend sports clubs during secondary school are more likely to be in education or employment as young adults, according to research by the Education Policy Institute.

The DfE has provided schools with a full list of government-funded organisations that can provide support on enrichment.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, in partnership with the DfE, will also invest £22.5 million over three years to create a tailored enrichment offer in up to 400 schools.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Every child should be able to enjoy sport and the creative arts, not just the lucky few.

“Whether it’s performing on stage, playing sport, exploring nature or getting involved in their community, these experiences build confidence, spark ambition and help young people discover what they are capable of.”

‘Question marks’ over school capacity

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, welcomed the enrichment ambitions, but raised concerns over capacity.

“As with many other government announcements, there are several question marks over the capacity of schools and colleges to deliver these aspirations,” he said.

“Schools and colleges already strive to provide excellent enrichment opportunities to their students, but they have to operate within extremely challenging financial and staffing constraints.”

Nearly all schools offer some form of enrichment to their pupils, according to the DfE’s own research.

Some 72 per cent of primary school pupils took part in at least one activity in the summer term of 2024-25, compared with 60 per cent of key stage 4 students. Some 45 per cent of pupils attending special schools (primary and secondary) were reported by their parents to have taken part in extracurricular activities.

Relying on the ‘goodwill’ of school staff

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders’ union, raised concerns about staffing.

“We must also remember that when it comes to extracurricular activities, a lot of that relies on the goodwill of school staff, whether that be taking pupils to sporting fixtures or running clubs after school,” he said.

More than a third of teachers who run enrichment clubs do so outside of directed time, and without pay, Tes revealed earlier this year.

Half of teachers also said that they would be willing to run an additional lunchtime or before- or after-school club without extra pay.