.jpg?v=d7f1b62159b21f52fe14df30fdc0f34b)
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
£20 - 25 per hour
Location free text
Wellingborough
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
TP Tutors are specialists in providing 1-1 tuition for young people who are not in education. We have an urgent need for tutors in Northamptonshire.These pupils have a range of needs including: SEND
Reference
EM1709TUTOR
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£20 - 25 per hour
Location free text
Derbyshire
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Derbyshire
Description
Looking to come out of the Classroom and teach 1:1?Why TP Tutors?As we enter the spring term, it’s the perfect time to make an impact on secondary students’ education. At TP Tutors, we’re passionate a
Reference
10SFDerbySci17/09
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£20 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Nottingham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Nottingham
Description
GCSE Tutor – Nottinghamshire Do you have a passion for supporting young people through their GCSE studies? We are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated GCSE Tutors to work on a 1:1 basis with studen
Reference
CC17/9NG4
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 35 per hour
Location free text
Alnwick
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northumberland
Description
Maths Tutor – KS3 & KS4 (Alternative Provision)Location: AlnwickPay: £25–£35 per hourAre you an experienced and passionate Maths Tutor looking to make a meaningful impact? TP Tutors is recruiting dedi
Reference
EWMATALN25
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North East TuitionAuthor
North East TuitionSalary
£25 - 32 per hour
Location free text
Chorley
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Lancashire
Description
Specialist A Level Tutors Required in the Chorley Area.Here at TP Tutors (Part of Teaching Personnel) we believe in every child’s right to a quality education. As such, we are looking for specialist A
Reference
RVPR7ALVL16/09
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 32 per hour
Location free text
Blackburn
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Blackburn
Description
Specialist A Level Tutors Required in the Blackburn Area.Here at TP Tutors (Part of Teaching Personnel) we believe in every child’s right to a quality education. As such, we are looking for specialist
Reference
RVBB2ALVL16/09
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£90 - 160 per day
Location free text
Twickenham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Twickenham
Description
Join Teaching Personnel as a Cover Supervisor – Secondary Schools in Twickenham and Surrounding AreasLocation: Twickenham and surrounding boroughs (Richmond, Hounslow, Kingston, etc.) Job Type: Flexi
Reference
cvsx
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wimbledon BranchAuthor
Wimbledon BranchSalary
£90 per day
Location free text
Caerphilly
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Caerphilly
Description
Behaviour Support Needed Bargoed, Caerphilly | Term-Time, Full-Time Monday – Friday | 08:30 – 15:00 | £90 per dayAre you passionate about making a real difference in education? We’re proud to be partn
Reference
16/9 behaviour ta
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£90 - 110 per day
Location free text
Kingston upon Thames
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Kingston-upon-Thames
Description
Join Teaching Personnel as a Teaching Assistant – Secondary Schools in Kingston and Surrounding AreasLocation: Kingston and surrounding boroughs (Richmond, Hounslow, Teddington, etc.)Job Type: Flexib
Reference
taaaaaaa
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wimbledon BranchAuthor
Wimbledon BranchSalary
£130 - 230 per day
Location free text
Beccles
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
£500 - £749 per week
Sector
Teacher
Location
Suffolk
Description
Cover Teachers Needed – Beccles (Suffolk) AreaWe are seeking enthusiastic Cover Teachers to support secondary schools across Suffolk. If you're qualified or unqualified (QTS or Cover Supervisor) and h
Reference
APBECTEACH
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Related posts
.jpg)
Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Walking into a teaching interview can be nerve-wracking, even for experienced teachers. The secret? Preparation. Knowing what to expect, understanding the school, and thinking through your answer

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Pay is always a big topic for teachers and school leaders, and with good reason. It affects career choices, retention, and how schools plan. With a 4% rise confirmed for the next academic term, 20

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
The start of a new academic year brings a mix of excitement and challenge. New timetables and faces are balanced with the realities of staffing, planning, and ensuring the school settles quickly i

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Schools are under pressure. Behaviour issues are rising, pupil needs are more complex, and staff are stretched. In 2024, 18.4% of children in England were reported to have some form of special edu

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Today’s classroom is a busy, complex, and emotionally charged environment. Educators need to teach, support, manage behaviour, and connect with learners who may be carrying far more than their sch

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
The future of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support in the UK is undergoing significant focus and reform. It’s a complicated landscape as the government considers tightening th

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
In December 2024, the government announced new specialist places in mainstream schools to better support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Yet, staff shortages limit s

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
Recent statistics highlight gaps in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) training and support for educators. The government wants more SEND pupils in mainstream schools. At the same t

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
In 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted the crisis in the SEND system, noting limited progress in making mainstream schools more inclusive. Without further investment and changes, t

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
How to navigate SEND funding for 2025-26 As government funding for special education needs and disabilities (SEND) evolves, schools face critical challenges securing essential resources. Sch
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job