A new report by the Centre for Young Lives, commissioned by The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) and NCS Trust, shines a light on something many of us in the STEM Community already know—enrichment activities can make a real difference to school attendance. Whether it's sports, arts clubs, volunteering, or STEM-focused opportunities, giving students meaningful and enjoyable experiences outside the classroom helps them feel more connected to school and learning.
The Attendance Crisis: Why Enrichment Matters
The report highlights a growing concern: school attendance is in crisis. Across England:
- Up to 300,000 children are missing from education entirely
- 1.4 million students are absent for at least 10% of school time
- Attendance challenges are particularly acute for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
But there's good news—enrichment activities can be a powerful way to re-engage these students, helping them feel a sense of belonging and giving them extra motivation to come to school.
“I come to school on a Thursday because of the club, so I’ve got something to look forward to, and it gets you through the day. It makes me excited to learn.” – Student
Schools that are already embracing enrichment have seen improvements in attendance, with some students even choosing to come in specifically for their favourite club or activity!
The report also calls for:
- Expanding enrichment partnership pilots, which have already shown a positive impact on attendance
- Embedding enrichment into national attendance strategies, offering more guidance for schools
- Encouraging teachers to get involved, working closely with external providers to create engaging learning environments
The Role of STEM Clubs
For those of us in the STEM Community, this all makes perfect sense. We’ve seen firsthand how STEM Clubs bring learning to life, giving students hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and enthusiasm. The evidence backs this up:
- 90% of students say that taking part in a STEM Club has improved their understanding and practical skills in STEM subjects
- 82% of students report a greater awareness of STEM careers
- 87% of teachers say STEM Clubs help students develop transferable skills like leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving
- 93% of teachers noted that STEM Clubs help students see how STEM applies to the real world, making learning feel more relevant and exciting
“More than anything, I cannot overemphasise the importance of STEM Clubs for building relationships with our students. We make massive gains in the classroom, especially with less confident members of the student body.” – Secondary School Teacher
🔗 Explore STEM Learning’s STEM Clubs offer:
Enrichment is More Than Just a ‘Nice to Have’
We also know that strong relationships are at the heart of great education. STEM Clubs are a fantastic way to build those connections between students and teachers, helping students feel more confident and engaged in the classroom. Schools that integrate STEM activities into their enrichment offer have noticed students attending more regularly, particularly on days when club sessions take place.
All of this points to one clear conclusion: enrichment isn’t just a ‘nice to have’—it’s a vital tool for keeping students engaged and learning. By investing in structured enrichment activities, including STEM-focused initiatives, we can help tackle the attendance crisis while inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers. Check out this infographic for more STEM Club impact information (its a full version of the featured image): https://community.stem.org.uk/viewdocument/stem-clubs-infographic?CommunityKey=0f32484b-dc5a-4266-8526-01a09365a63a&tab=librarydocuments
Join the Conversation
Schools need support to make this happen, through:
- Dedicated funding to sustain enrichment programmes
- Strong partnerships with external providers
- Recognition in Ofsted evaluations to reinforce its value
But most importantly, schools need to know that enrichment is worth it—because when students feel excited about learning, they show up.
💬 Let's keep the conversation going in the STEM Community—how do you see enrichment making a difference in your school? Pop a comment below or tell us in the Careers, Clubs and Cross Curricular group: https://community.stem.org.uk/communities/community-home?CommunityKey=efa20286-1785-472d-87f6-6ff52714b61c