Schools 'should encourage broader participation in extracurricular science activities'
School students from diverse backgrounds should all be offered more opportunities to take part in science-based learning beyond the classroom, a new study has concluded.
Research from University College London has indicated that British pupils from less privileged backgrounds are generally far less likely to participate in informal science learning experiences, such as school trips and museum visits - a trend that is undermining current efforts to increase and broaden science engagement among young people.
The study assessed survey data from almost 6,000 UK secondary schoolchildren aged 11 to 16 from communities with traditionally low science engagement, in order to ascertain how often they were getting involved in extracurricular science learning.
It was found that more than half of the surveyed students had never been on a science-related school trip, while nearly 70 per cent had never had a visitor talk on science. This is despite the fact that strong levels of interest in science were recorded among these students.
Possible obstacles to greater participation in these activities include a focus on targeting higher-attaining students, the high cost of providing school trips and the pressures of high-stakes testing, all of which may be driving inequality in attainment levels.
However, the fact that so many of these students are still interested in science-based activities suggests that school-led efforts to broaden engagement would be well-received, and that schools could therefore still play an important role in encouraging interest in science among traditionally marginalised groups.
Dr Jennifer DeWitt, a co-author of the study at University College London's Institute of Education, said: "We would encourage schools to ensure that science-related extracurricular activities, including school visits, are targeted to reach all students, not just those in the 'top' sets, to avoid reproducing existing inequalities.
"We would also urge places like science museums and science centres to broaden their offer, so that a wider range of individuals - not just those from privileged backgrounds - can feel welcomed and comfortable there."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£30k - 50k per year
Location free text
Stafford
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£50,000 - £59,999
Sector
English
Location
Staffordshire
Description
Ready for Your Next Step in Education? Location: Stafford, Rugeley & Surrounding Areas Pay Rate: MPS / UPS + TLR Opportunities Start Date: November 2026 Contract Type: Permanent & Long-Term Opportuni
Reference
ET - ST16
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SecondaryAuthor
Birmingham SecondarySalary
£92 - 140 per day
Location free text
Telford
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Shropshire
Description
Secondary Teaching Assistant / Cover Supervisor – Shrewsbury & Telford Shrewsbury & Telford | ££ Competitive day rate | Day-to-Day, Long-Term & Temp-to-Perm | Immediate & November StartsTeaching Pers
Reference
SEC
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SecondaryAuthor
Birmingham SecondarySalary
£170 - 250 per day
Location free text
Stoke
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Other
Location
West Midlands
Description
Thinking About Your Next Teaching Role? Location: Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Pay Rate: MPS / UPS (Dependent on Role) Start Date: November 2026 Contract Type: Permanent & Long-Term Opportunities W
Reference
teacher resignation
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SecondaryAuthor
Birmingham SecondarySalary
£34,068 - 52,834 per year
Location free text
Warminster
Job Type
Permanent
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£50,000 - £59,999
Sector
Teacher
Location
Wiltshire
Description
KS1-3 Teacher Immediate Start | Full-Time | Permanent OpportunityApply today or call 01202 558848 and ask for Himaya! Looking for a Teaching Role That Breaks the Mould? If you are passionate abo
Reference
HK1155
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset SENAuthor
Dorset SENSalary
£34,068 - 52,834 per year
Location free text
Kilmington
Job Type
Permanent
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£50,000 - £59,999
Sector
Teacher
Location
Wiltshire
Description
Primary Teacher Kilmington, Wiltshire | Immediate Start | Permanent Opportunity | Full-Time Apply today or call 01202 558848 and ask for Himaya! Rekindle Your Love for Teaching Are you a qualified
Reference
HK1154
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset SENAuthor
Dorset SENSalary
£20 - 29 per hour
Location free text
Northampton
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northampton
Description
Tutor (Primary, Secondary, GCSE & SEND)Location: Northampton and surrounding areas Job Type: Flexible, Temporary, with potential for permanent opportunities Working Hours: Monday to Friday, during sch
Reference
A39/Northampton
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£600 - 800 per week
Location free text
Bournemouth
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Primary
Location
Bournemouth
Description
Primary School TeacherMake a Difference in Primary Schools Across Dorset – Bournemouth, Poole & Christchurch.Are you a passionate and dedicated Primary School Teacher looking for your next teaching op
Reference
EW-180
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset PrimaryAuthor
Dorset PrimarySalary
£600 - 800 per week
Location free text
Kinson
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
KS2 - Year 6
Location
Dorset
Description
Year 6 Class TeacherSalary: M1–UPS3 Start Date: October 2026 or after the October half-term Location: Bournemouth, Kinson Hours: Part-time Contract: Temporary, for two terms or longerAbout the RoleWe
Reference
EW-179
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset PrimaryAuthor
Dorset PrimarySalary
£110 - 130 per day
Location free text
Alton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Hampshire
Description
Cover Supervisor – AltonNovember Start | Ideal for Graduates, Aspiring Teachers & Experienced Educators Seeking Greater Work-Life BalanceAre you a recent university graduate looking to gain classroom
Reference
Cover Sup 100
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondarySalary
£110 - 140 per day
Location free text
Farnborough
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Hampshire
Description
Cover Supervisor – FarnboroughImmediate Start | Flexible, Long-Term and Permanent OpportunitiesAre you looking to gain valuable classroom experience and make a positive difference to young people’s ed
Reference
Cover 200
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondaryRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
October marks Black History Month in the UK, giving schools an opportunity to celebrate the achievements, contributions and experiences of Black communities while encouraging meaningful conversati
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
As ADHD Awareness Month shines a spotlight on neurodiversity, Teaching Personnel's Ellen shares her experience of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life and how greater awareness and understandi
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
As we celebrate National Teaching Assistants' Day 2026, we're delighted to recognise the incredible individuals who have been selected as our Teaching Assistant of the Year winners.This year,
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
After a well-earned summer break, schools across the UK are opening their doors once again for a new academic year. Whether you're returning to a familiar classroom or starting a new role, Septemb
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD08YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for changes to the way temporary staff are sourced from September 2026, many will look to work more closely with framework-approved recruitment partners. Understandin
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Summer has only just started, and September might seem a long way off, but it will be here sooner than you think. Schools and trusts are already planning for September, with new opportunities open
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for September 2026, the shift from CCS (Crown Commercial Service) to the new GCA (Government Commercial Agency) framework marks a significant change in how supply sta
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
When schools wind down for the holidays, nurseries keep open. Many early-years settings remain open throughout the summer. Nurseries rely on skilled, caring staff to help children and
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
Exams are one of the most stressful times in the academic year, and it isn’t only pupils who feel the pressure. For teaching assistants (TAs) and support staff, exam season brings new expectations
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
If you’re considering taking the next step in education, you’re not alone. More teachers and support staff are exploring permanent roles that offer stability, progression, and a sense of belonging
by
Adam Davies
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job