Raising game on enrichment helps Redhill Trust boost attendance

Since introducing four new core sports across our 20 schools, positive trends have been seen in attendance figures across the trust, with a particular benefit for disadvantaged pupils. 

Investment in enrichment, supportive partnerships and a laser focus on data have been key to achieving these outcomes, explains the trust's Sports Development Officer, Adam Douglas in an interview with Tes.

Our academies have expanded the experiences on offer for all students with the aim of building resilience, respect for  others and self-confidence. An extensive co-curricular programme, 'Curriculum Plus', includes opportunities to participate in sport, the performing arts, trips abroad, cultural experiences and character-building challenges. While a ‘Pledges’ system ensures that every student benefits from these important opportunities.

But a recent push on enrichment has added four core trust activities alongside the existing offer. Handball, rowing, boccia and chess have all been launched since 2023. The Trust's investment recruiting Adam to a new post as Trust Sports Development Officer role has led to stronger partnerships with organisations including Youth Sport Trust, England Handball, London Youth Rowing and Boccia England. The investment has spilled into schools too, with the appointment of school-based 'Co-curricular co-ordinators'. "We're saying, 'This is in our DNA'", Adam Douglas told Tes.

We're saying, 'This is in our DNA'

Adam Douglas - Sports Development Officer, Redhill Academy Trust

Adding core sports was designed to aid belonging, giving students "a better chance of having strong friendships  and positive relationships with teachers”, Adam explains, as well as for them to “broaden their horizons”.

But over a short period of time, the data gathered shows successful outcomes in other areas. Not least, improved attendance – a welcome but unintended consequence of the work. It shows that the more co-curricular sessions students attend, the better their overall school attendance is. Those who didn't go to any clubs averaged 86 per cent attendance, while students who took part in 10 sessions annually averaged 95 per cent.

In addition, it found that enrichment has a particular benefit for disadvantaged students. Young people eligible for pupil premium who went to just one co-curricular session experienced an average attendance boost of 4.4 percentage points (from 82 to 86.4 per cent) over the course of a term. And among students who attended these clubs, the attendance gap between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged students reduced from 8 per cent to 5 per cent.

This powerful evidence is now being shared across the education sector in the hope it inspires positive action, by encouraging other schools and Trusts to raise their game around the prioritisation of enrichment activities. 

Click here to read the full article: www.tes.com/magazine/teaching-learning/general/trust-enrichment-sports-improved-attendance