The government has announced a £132.5 million funding boost for after-school clubs, ahead of an anticipated ban on social media use for under-16s. This investment aims to provide engaging activities for children, fostering new skills and keeping them occupied.
The programme will support diverse activities, from music groups and engineering clubs to debating societies and football clubs. The Department for Education confirmed Ofsted will consider a school’s enrichment offer as part of its personal development assessment.
Ministers hope the funding directly addresses findings from the ‘State of the Nation’ survey of over 14,000 young people. It found that despite being the most digitally connected generation, young people today face some of the highest levels of isolation.
The announcement precedes Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s expected introduction of restrictions on children’s social media use in the coming days. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has indicated an ‘Australian-style ban’ is ‘on the table,’ alongside options like curfews or limits on addictive features.
Ministers appear to be leaning towards a ban, bolstered by 90% of parents supporting it in a recent consultation. The consultation, which closed on 26 May, received around 120,000 responses, making it the second-largest in history.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has also repeatedly called for a ban, telling the BBC earlier this week: “Social media is for adults, it’s not for children.”
Education Secretary Bridget Philipson 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.
“As the world around our children continues to move fast, investment is about making sure the childhood experiences we truly value can once again be for every young person, wherever they live.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “I have always been clear that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.
“A child who loves the arts shouldn’t have to be born into the right postcode to pursue it, because we believe that Every Child Can excel in the creative arts.
“By investing in these life-changing opportunities, we are supporting their futures and delivering a positive step forward to break down the barriers for children and young people to access creative opportunities that could in turn open up doors for their long-term careers.”
Responding to the announcement, Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “We welcome the intent behind the Government’s plans for more enrichment in schools and colleges and the funding announced.
“However, as with many other government announcements, there are several question marks over the capacity of schools and colleges to deliver these aspirations.
“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.
“Those pressures will not disappear simply because the Government announces new policies. It has to focus more on how to turn aspirations into realities, particularly in areas of high disadvantage where these opportunities are most needed.”
