An unequal playing field

A report by the Department of Education and Institute for Policy Research at the University of Bath found that the school you go to, the area where you grow up, and your socioeconomic background largely determine what types of activities are available outside the classroom. Children from the poorest households were much less likely to take part in any extra-curricular activity, but particularly music and sport. 

Moreover, the report concluded that extra-curricular activities offer tangible long-term benefits to the children who participate, leading to greater opportunities later in life. In particular, extra-curricular activities:

• are important in predicting intentions to remain in education after compulsory schooling
• boost young people’s confidence to interact socially with others, extend their social networks, and provide them with new skills and abilities
• offer an important space to have fun and relax away from the pressures of schoolwork, thereby supporting young people’s mental health and wellbeing
• can support the development of soft skills which are valued by employers across the country.

The report highlighted the important role the provision of extra-curricular activities can play in closing gaps between disadvantaged families and those who can afford to expose their children to a range of experiences. The full report is a very interesting read and can be found here. 

CSC supports extra-curricular provision

To find out how CSC can support you develop chess provision across your school, please complete our enquiry form here. We have a range of options available, from free equipment and training for your staff, to supplying a CSC tutor to deliver chess lessons and clubs within your school.