Secondary school students 'missing out on extracurricular activities'
Not enough secondary school students are taking part in the kinds of extracurricular activity that could help them to gain essential life skills.
This is according to a new report from the Sutton Trust, which has suggested that the uptake of extracurricular activities such as debating and volunteering in secondary schools is much lower than it should be.
A survey of secondary school teachers showed that 78 per cent said their school offers volunteering programmes to build their pupils' life skills, but just eight per cent of pupils aged 11 to 16 in England and Wales say they actually take part in these sorts of activities.
Meanwhile, 45 per cent of secondary teachers said their school provided debating events, but only two per cent of pupils said they participate. Moreover, 37 per cent of children said they don't take part in any extracurricular activities run by their school.
Of concern is the fact that only 46 per cent of students from disadvantaged backgrounds get involved in these activities, compared to 66 per cent of their better-off peers. This is despite widespread acceptance among teachers and students that life skills are vitally important and can play a key role in helping young people to get jobs in future.
Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the Sutton Trust and the Education Endowment Foundation, said: "A staggering 90 per cent of employers, teachers and young people say that essential life skills are as or more important than academic qualifications - by essential life skills, we mean confidence, articulacy, social skills and teamwork.
"These skills are crucial and everyone should have the opportunity to develop them. Independent schools by and large do an excellent job; it is vital that state schools embed the development of these skills in their ethos, curriculum and extracurricular activities."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Bradford
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Bradford
Description
Core Subjects Tutor - Bradford (BD1) Location: Bradford, BD1 Pay Rate: £25 - £30 per hour ⏰ Hours: Part-Time, Monday to Friday, during school hoursInspire Learning. Change Lives. TP Tutors is loo
Reference
30/10-Core-BD1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Wigan
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Wigan
Description
Fully Qualified Tutor - Wigan (WN1) Job Title: Fully Qualified Tutor Location: Wigan, WN1 Hours: Flexible, Part-Time (During School Hours) Pay: Competitive hourly rateAbout the Role: We are seeking
Reference
30/10FQT-WN1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Merseyside
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Merseyside
Description
Core Subject Tutor - L1 8JQ - Merseyside Job Title: Core Subject Tutor Location: L1 8JQ, Merseyside Hours: Flexible, Part-Time (During School Hours) Pay: Competitive hourly rateAbout the Role: We a
Reference
30/10CoreSub-L1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£20 - 29 per hour
Location free text
Wellingborough
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
1:1 Tutor – Wellingborough Flexible / Part-time Opportunities AvailableLocation: Wellingborough, Northamptonshire Setting: Pupil’s home or school Hours: School hours, Monday–Friday Contract: Flexible
Reference
S539/Wellingborough
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£20 - 29 per hour
Location free text
Kettering
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
SEN 1:1 Tutors Required – Primary & Secondary | Kettering Location: Kettering and surrounding areas Working Setting: Pupils' homes and school settings Position: 1:1 Special Educational Needs (SEN) Tu
Reference
S537/Kettering
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£20 - 29 per hour
Location free text
Northampton
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northampton
Description
SEN 1:1 Tutors Required – Primary & Secondary | Northampton Location: Northampton and surrounding areas Working Setting: Pupils' homes and school settings Position: 1:1 Special Educational Needs (SEN
Reference
S536/Northampton
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£23k - 27k per year
Location free text
Weymouth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Weymouth
Description
Salaried Teacher Training Programme – Secondary Schools Weymouth | £23,000–£27,000 salary | January 2027 startTeaching Personnel are currently working with secondary schools in Weymouth to recruit gr
Reference
WEYFT019
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£23k - 27k per year
Location free text
Liverpool
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Liverpool
Description
Salaried Teacher Training Programme – Secondary Schools Liverpool | £23,000–£27,000 salary | Immediate & January 2027 starts availableWant to Become a Teacher? If teaching is something you've been
Reference
2LICVFT
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£150 - 260 per day
Location free text
Bath
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Maths
Location
Bath
Description
Maths Teacher - Secondary School - Bath (BA2) Maths Teacher | Secondary Maths Teacher | Teacher of Mathematics | Bath (BA2) | Full-Time | PermanentAre you a passionate Maths Teacher looking for you
Reference
mths-ba2-GL
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Bristol SecondaryAuthor
Bristol SecondarySalary
£23k - 27k per year
Location free text
Bournemouth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Bournemouth
Description
Start Your Teaching Career in Bournemouth! Position: Graduate Teacher Training Location: Bournemouth Start Date: January 2027 Salary: £23,000–£27,000 per annum Type: Full TimeAbout the Opportunity A
Reference
BMTH2027WE
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants 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 work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job