VIEWS & OPINION
Why all schools should offer enrichment programmes
Comment by OLIVER WATKINS, Director of the Sixth Form at Horsforth in Leeds
It is widely accepted that enrichment programmes are an essential part of a student’s education, but some schools are on the fence about the value of adding enrichment activities to their already packed curricula. I am convinced enrichment plays a significant role in a child’s school life and beyond. In this article I would like to share why I
believe enrichment is so important and give you five key reasons why schools should consider it for their own benefit as well as that of their students.
At Horsforth we are fortunate to be able to offer our students a choice of more than 90 enrichment activities including debating, photography, volunteering at the Horsforth café and even international exchanges. These activities provide opportunities to explore new skills and interests beyond the academic curriculum, while helping students to develop their abilities and improve their overall well-being and self-esteem. They can also give students a glimpse of how some of the academic subjects they learn are put to use in the real world.
I work closely with many talented youngsters who will be our future leaders and creators, and the impact these activities can have on their long-term future is clear to see. As part of one programme, students were recently given the opportunity to participate in the local Healthier Together NHS community initiative, and went on to deliver their presentations to medical professionals, including doctors and consultants. What an amazing thing for a young person to do.
Enrichment benefits both the students and the schools and here are some of the reasons why:
Promotion of creativity and innovation
Enrichment programmes are designed to encourage students to think creatively and outside the box. They can challenge students to solve problems using their imagination and critical thinking skills. Research shows being more creative benefits students by helping them to express themselves and can even reduce stress and anxiety which has an impact on exams.
Provides career guidance
Enrichment programmes provide an opportunity for students to explore their interests and passions, giving them exposure to a variety of industries and fields which can help them make informed decisions about their future careers. Additionally they
July/August 2023
look good on CVs. In fact, professional CV writer Graeme Jordan emphasises the value of highlighting soft skills. He says these are immensely important in helping employers build a picture of a candidate, and can be as impactful as academic results.
Opportunities for disadvantaged students This is probably one of the most compelling reasons for schools to offer enrichment activities. When budgets are tight enrichment programmes can understandably be seen as an extra burden on finances and capacity. Unfortunately this is more likely to be the case in more deprived areas, where students would benefit most from having access to the soft skills these activities offer. The Education Endowment Foundation has found that enrichment can lead to up to three months additional progress across English, Maths and Science, while a government review found that underachieving pupils participating in extracurricular activities like sport increased their numeracy skills by almost a third.
Builds confidence and provides physical and mental health benefits Enrichment programmes provide a safe and supportive environ- ment for students to try new things and take risks. When they find things they’re good at, or push themselves to do things which may be outside of their comfort zones, they feel better about them- selves. Programmes which involve sports, dance and yoga can help keep students physically healthy; activities such as mindfulness and meditation are excellent for managing stress and improving mental wellbeing, which will have a beneficial effect when it comes to exams and studies in general.
Development of social skills as well as civic responsibility Enrichment programmes provide a great platform for students to interact with others who share the same interests. They encourage collaboration, communication and team work to achieve a common goal. Developing these skills has been proven to help social intel- ligence, social progress and social mobility making these students more likely to find employment. Volunteering activities teach students about community service and social responsibility while also helping them to develop a sense of empathy towards others. Studies have found that students who participate in extra-curricular activities tend to grow into adults with higher levels of civic partici- pation and engagement.
At Horsforth we pride ourselves on being inclusive and offering opportunities for all. This year we are in a position to offer places to students further afield across Leeds, thanks to a considerable expansion to our Sixth Form campus. The benefits are clear, both for the students and for the school, as we see lives being enriched, future careers planned and enjoy enviable exam results. I would urge all schools who are uncertain about the advantages enrich- ment offers to give it a try and see for themselves what a difference it can make.
www.education-today.co.uk 29
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