The study by Barnardo's also found that children saw activities likehomework classes as "more school" and felt pressured into taking part todo well in SATs.
The snapshot report compared three clubs at schools in England withthree in Denmark.
While the majority of workers at Danish clubs were highly qualified,employees in English clubs were mostly unqualified. In England thequality of play opportunities tended to rely on one motivated andenergetic person.
"Where no such 'personality' was present, after-school clubs tended tobe less play focused and more controlled or 'school-like'," said theMore School, Less Play? report.
Neera Sharma, principal policy officer at Barnardo's, said the findingsrevealed a need to think more carefully about the role of extendedschools and the importance of play. "We need to take a step back andlook at how extended schools are developing," she added. "Is the wholefocus on attainment, learning and homework or is it about thechildren?"
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