CYP Now - Disadvantaged children missing out on out-of-school activities

Extra-curricular activities, particularly music and sport, are three times more likely to be accessed by children from high-income households than their less well-off peers, a study has shown.

The research, commissioned by Education Secretary Damian Hinds and conducted by the Social Mobility Commission, found "huge disparities" in participation rates depending on social background.

The study, An Unequal Playing Field which looked at activities such as arts, music, sport, dance, voluntary work and youth clubs, found participation increased in line with a rise in household income.

It shows young people aged 10 to 15 from wealthier families are more likely to take part in every type of activity, with music and sport scoring the highest for participation rates.

The study reveals a participation gap of around 20 per cent for sporting activities, drawing attention to a lack of overall provision for extra-curricular activities in parts of the UK.

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