New report proposes model enrichment benchmarks to help schools deliver enrichment for all

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), Big Education and Oasis Charitable Trust launch a practical report to tackle inequity in access to enrichment activities in schools.

The report proposes a series of Enrichment Benchmarks that define what a comprehensive enrichment offer in schools should entail. They offer a bold but practical proposition with the aim of informing the Department for Education’s Enrichment Framework, which it announced earlier this year and is currently developing with experts across sectors – including the report’s sponsors.

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The aim of the benchmarks is to help ensure all young people, regardless of background, can access high-quality enrichment activities that support their wellbeing, engagement, life skills and aspirations. The benchmarks can be an important pillar of wider government efforts to promote inclusion and belonging in schools – including a recent commitment by the Prime Minister to develop a framework to increase school engagement.

Backed by consultation with over 175 young people and 75 school and community leaders, the report introduces a proposed set of eight Enrichment Benchmarks, providing schools and trusts with a structured, evidence-informed framework for designing and evaluating their enrichment offer.

Key Messages from the Report

• Enrichment matters: Research and lived experience show enrichment improves wellbeing, builds skills, and boosts school engagement and attendance. But access is unequal: Disadvantaged pupils are often the least likely to benefit from high-quality enrichment opportunities.
• Now is the time: DfE has committed to developing an Enrichment Framework and considering the role of benchmarks. It is hoped that this Report provides the basis for collaboration with the Department to help shape future work going forward. 
• Benchmarks offer a way forward: The report’s proposed Enrichment Benchmarks mirror the successful approach of the Gatsby Benchmarks for careers education and are designed to be adopted, adapted and scaled.
• Any Framework or Benchmarks should be situated within bold and ambitious reforms to the education system: including the introduction of an outcomes framework for school-leavers that captures progress beyond attainment; an Ofsted Framework that creates accountability for delivering great enrichment with the funding to follow; and a broader curriculum that is complemented by greater access to enrichment activities.

The 8 Proposed Enrichment Benchmarks

The report proposes 8 Enrichment Benchmarks, which draw on engagement and consultation across sectors and stakeholders – including school and community leaders, education and youth experts and young people themselves.  The resulting benchmarks aim to contribute to wider discussions and development of an Enrichment Framework by the Department of Education.

Ruth Marvel OBE, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said: “Every young person should have access to rich, meaningful experiences that help them discover their purpose, develop life skills and feel a sense of belonging. These benchmarks offer a practical tool to help schools deliver on that promise, particularly for those who are often left out. We’re proud to work with partners across education and youth sectors to help turn the ambition of ‘enrichment for all’ into a reality.”

Liz Robinson, CEO of Big Education Trust, said: “We believe that every child and young person needs a ‘big’ education, an education of the head, heart and hand. Enriching the established ‘core’ of academic learning with rich learning opportunities and experiences is essential. We are delighted to be collaborating with esteemed colleagues to create resources and tools to help all those serving our young people to further enhance their practice, and shine a light on the critical role this plays in their development.”

Dave Parr, CEO of Oasis Charitable Trust, said: “Oasis Charitable Trust is committed to developing and offering positive opportunities for our communities with a specific focus on children and young people. In our 40th year one of our key priorities is ‘supporting young lives’ – this has been defined as doubling down on inclusion for young people. We believe that we must radically improve support for those who are being failed by our systems and left vulnerable to harm. For this report, OCT was able to bring together over 175 young people and 75 school leaders and record their views on how improvement to enrichment provision can be implemented, the impact on teachers and education settings and the view of young people. The feedback was conclusive, the impact of enrichment for all can be life altering.”

• The report is the latest in a series of collaborative initiatives on education and enrichment, first launched by the DofE and the now-closed National Citizen Service (NCS) Trust
• It builds on previous research funded by DCMS and DfE, including the Enrichment Partnerships Pilot and work on the link between enrichment and school attendance
• The Benchmarks are designed to align with current policy developments, including the proposed Enrichment Framework and forthcoming inclusion guidance announced by the Prime Minister
• Duke of Edinburgh Award, Big Education Trust and Oasis Community Learning are all represented on an expert working group with the DfE to help shape the evolution of the Enrichment Benchmarks

Further background reports

• Centre for Young Lives, Leeds Beckett University and YMCA George Williams College (2025). Beyond the Classroom: The role of enrichment in tackling the school absence crisis.
• Department for Culture, Media and Sport. (2024). Youth Provision and Life Outcomes: A Study of Longitudinal Research. London: Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
• Centre for Education and Youth and National Citizen Service (2021). Enriching Education Recovery: The role of non-formal learning and extra-curricular activities.
• Education Policy Institute (2024). Access to extra-curricular provision and the association with outcomes.
• Department for Culture, Media and Sport. (2024) Youth Enrichment: Discovery Phase. London: Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Following the latest in a series of reports on the value of enrichment, DofE, Oasis and Big Education are seeking to build a movement of organisations across sectors to collectively build evidence, share best practice and promote improved policies to enhance access to enrichment through education. Please complete the registration form below to register your interest in hearing more and getting involved.