After-school activities 'out of reach' of poorer parents
Ben Cook
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Nearly two-thirds of parents cannot afford to send their children to after-school activities that have a positive impact on their educational performance, according to latest research.
A poll of more than 800 parents with at least one child aged four to 18 found that 62 per cent were "saying no to vital after-school activities because they can’t afford it".
The research, conducted by charity Save the Children, also found that three out of four parents (74 per cent) "living below the poverty line" could not afford after-school activities.
Of those parents who do pay for after-school activities, nearly half (49 per cent) spend over £10 per child per week to pay for activities, while more than one-fifth (22 per cent) pay more than £20 per child per week.
The charity said that, for many of the UK’s poorest parents, £20 per child per week is "out of reach".
Sally Copley, head of UK policy at Save the Children, said after-school activities were just as important to a child’s education as what happened during school hours.
"Children who do after-school activities have more confidence, see the world in different ways and have a stronger sense of identity. This ultimately translates into doing better in exams and getting a better job," she added. "We’re particularly concerned that poorer children are missing out as a result."
More than half (51 per cent) of the parents polled said after-school activities provided their children with "educational benefits", while 71 per cent said their children would "miss out on social skills" if they were not involved in such activities.
Donald Hirsch, head of income studies at Loughborough University’s Centre for Research in Social Policy, said: "Out-of-school activities are not just an optional extra but an important part of children’s education and development."
The research, conducted by charity Save the Children, also found that three out of four parents (74 per cent) "living below the poverty line" could not afford after-school activities.
Of those parents who do pay for after-school activities, nearly half (49 per cent) spend over £10 per child per week to pay for activities, while more than one-fifth (22 per cent) pay more than £20 per child per week.
The charity said that, for many of the UK’s poorest parents, £20 per child per week is "out of reach".
Sally Copley, head of UK policy at Save the Children, said after-school activities were just as important to a child’s education as what happened during school hours.
"Children who do after-school activities have more confidence, see the world in different ways and have a stronger sense of identity. This ultimately translates into doing better in exams and getting a better job," she added. "We’re particularly concerned that poorer children are missing out as a result."
More than half (51 per cent) of the parents polled said after-school activities provided their children with "educational benefits", while 71 per cent said their children would "miss out on social skills" if they were not involved in such activities.
Donald Hirsch, head of income studies at Loughborough University’s Centre for Research in Social Policy, said: "Out-of-school activities are not just an optional extra but an important part of children’s education and development."
