Research Shows Big Boost For Out Of School Hours Learning Activities

Over two thirds of schools have increased the provision of out of school hours learning activities in the last two years according to research published today by Schools Minister Jacqui Smith.

The majority of schools ( 71%) provide more than seven different out of school hours learning activities. These include PE/sports, music, creative and performing arts activities, homework and computer clubs.

MORI conducted a telephone survey of 204 schools (104 primary; 100 secondary) during June 2000. The schools were regionally spread throughout England.

Children surveyed by BMRB at the same time said that their most popular out-of-school hours learning activity was participating in sport (35%) and this was the case for both primary and secondary children. However, sport was more popular among boys (42%) than among girls (28%). In comparison, girls were more likely than boys to take part in the more artistic activities such as music, dance or drama and library/book club.

A typical primary pupil is spending nearly two hours a week on such activities and a secondary pupil three hours a week.

The research also reveals that:

• 97 per cent of schools provide out of school hours learning activities
• Over a third of parents say they are aware of an increase in the amount of such activities provided by their children's schools
• Over half (54%) of schools are planning to introduce further activities
• Over two thirds of pupils say that they are participating in out of school hours learning activities

Schools Minister Jacqui Smith welcomed the findings. Ms. Smith said:

"I would like to congratulate schools who have shown such a big commitment

to increasing out of school hours learning activities and the work they are doing around areas like music and sport. Working in partnership we are seeing a real change in the way in which schools operate. The extra lottery and government money is beginning to have a real effect - and is set to provide more activity in the coming years.

The popularity of out of-school hours sport is encouraging as we move towards our objective of two hours a week in primary schools - in and out of the school day. The new sports co-ordinators will have a vital role in encouraging more inter-school competition.

The popularity of out of school hours music, arts and drama is also encouraging and complements the daytime curriculum. Recent evidence that the Music Fund is having an impact is borne out by music's popularity in schools.

However, out of school hours learning is not just about these enrichment activities. It can have a direct impact on pupils' everyday curriculum work. The popularity of homework, computer and other curriculum related clubs bears this out - nine out of ten secondary schools offer these clubs to their pupils. They provide important support to work in the classroom.

Out of school hours learning brings wider benefits to the community with a strong emphasis on working with parents.

The research shows that parents value the work that is being done by schools. Parents are most interested in seeing schools provide PE/sports activities and computer clubs out of school hours. More than one third of parents surveyed have noticed an increase in this kind of activity. I am particularly encouraged that 76 per cent of parents say they are interested in sending their children to summer schools.

All of this activity is happening with the clear enthusiasm of schools, teachers, parents and pupils and is helping state schools to develop outside the 9-3 curriculum many of the opportunities which private schools take for granted."

Examples of out of school learning:

Somerset Local Education Authority

Somerset will be running 15 'Set to Learn' Summer Schools across the county in the school holidays. Schemes include making a CD of their own music to cookery lessons. The latter included food safety, shopping on a budget and preparing food.

Bright Sparks

Bright Sparks Clubs run in the Midlands and North of England providing creative activities for pupils in maths, science and ICT for years six and seven during the summer. The project has grown out of Saturday morning sessions where pupils took their parents along to sessions involving maths and ICT. Saturday morning sessions on science are planned for the future.

Oaklands School, Tower Hamlets

Many schools are now offering a wide range of activities tailored to the needs and learning styles of pupils. An example is the short course programme run by Oaklands School in Tower Hamlets. The range of courses at the school include:

• courses designed in response to a specific need or a particular audience, such as confidence building;
• courses leading to an additional qualification, such as first aid awards;
• courses that enhance GCSE programmes of study;
• courses aimed at stretching the school's most able pupils;
• courses which enable pupils to work on projects with local community organisations;
• courses with an interest or hobby theme, which introduce new skills, knowledge and pastimes.

'Time Out' Homework Clubs, Sandwell Library and Information Service

It is not only schools that run out of school hours learning activities - local education authorities and voluntary and community organisations also provide activities. An example is the 'Time Out' Homework Clubs run by Sandwell Library and Information Service. Sandwell runs the clubs in 19 of its libraries, which operate between one and three sessions per week, usually of two hours' duration. During that time young people have the support of a dedicated Linkworker (a trained member of library staff), free photocopying and printout, access to a wide range of ICT facilities (including Internet), homework collections and fax machines.

Technical details

1. Since April 1999 163205m of New Opportunities Fund (NOF) available to schools, LEAs and their partners across UK to develop out of school hours learning activities. 16325m of this funding will be dedicated to establishing new places in summer schools. NOF funding will for out of school hours activities will continue to feed through to schools until 2004.

2. From April 2000 16320m available to schools to develop study support activities through Standards Fund. In 2001 16360m will be made available for these activities through Standards Fund.

As part of their Youth Access Omnibus survey BMRB International surveyed 547 pupils (aged 7-16) and 900 parents of 7-16 year olds as part of the Access Omnibus survey

Sport

3. Up to 163150 million will be provided to tackle the worst part of the school sports and arts infrastructure - primary schools. Additionally Sport England will allocate 20% of Lottery funds to youth sport, the bulk of which will be spent in schools. Sports Governing Bodies will be encouraged to invest part of their broadcasting income in school sports facilities. (from the Government's Sports Strategy - A Sporting Future for All, issued on 5 April)

Music

4.The Music Standards Fund is providing 163150 million over three years to Local Education Authorities, to protect existing music services and allow for expansion, thus giving many more young people the opportunity to experience music making.

Summer Literacy & Numeracy Schools & Key Stage 3 Intervention Programme

5. In 2000-2001, over 16319 million will be available through the Standards Fund for Summer Literacy & Numeracy Schools and the Key Stage 3 Intervention Programme, which will involve 1,800 schools. The grant is designed to raise standards at Key Stage 3, and schools will be targeting pupils who did not attain Level 4 in their Key Stage NC assessment in English and mathematics.