Parents cut back on after-school activities
Joe Lepper
Friday, August 26, 2011
Almost a third of parents are to cut back on after-school activities due to the rising cost of living, according to latest research.
A survey of 2,000 parents, carried out by insurance firm LV, found that 31 per cent are planning to cut back on the number of extra curricular activities they pay for, such as ballet, music and sports lessons as family budgets become increasingly stretched.
Education and parents’ groups said the findings show the importance of free and affordable after-school clubs to help parents provide interesting activities for children on a tight budget.
Philip Parkin, general secretary of education union Voice, said: "A lot of the activities that will see a drop in participation, such as music and dance lessons, involve private tuition and are expensive.
"Schools may not be able to offer that private one-to-one tuition but they are offering a wide range of excellent alternative activities for children. One of the problems has been getting children to stay behind and take part. There is a lot going on after school that is free or very cheap, which more parents should be accessing."
However, Sam Murray, head of policy and information at the Advisory Centre for Education, said there was no evidence that schools were cutting back on the range of free or affordable after-school clubs due to public sector cuts.
She said: "That is not happening. Schools see the importance of offering a good range of activities. Such a range can help attract pupils, and parents often cite an after-school club as a factor in their choice of school."
The survey also reveals the escalating cost of being a parent in terms of childcare and education.
According to LV, the total cost of sending a child back to school had increased by £27m to £736m over the past year.
The survey found that parents spend an average of £77 per child on "back to school" costs such as school uniform and stationery.
This rises to £81 for children of secondary school age. Parents in Scotland spend the most on back-to-school costs, at £89 per child. Those in the East Midlands spend £60 per child on average.
Education and parents’ groups said the findings show the importance of free and affordable after-school clubs to help parents provide interesting activities for children on a tight budget.
Philip Parkin, general secretary of education union Voice, said: "A lot of the activities that will see a drop in participation, such as music and dance lessons, involve private tuition and are expensive.
"Schools may not be able to offer that private one-to-one tuition but they are offering a wide range of excellent alternative activities for children. One of the problems has been getting children to stay behind and take part. There is a lot going on after school that is free or very cheap, which more parents should be accessing."
However, Sam Murray, head of policy and information at the Advisory Centre for Education, said there was no evidence that schools were cutting back on the range of free or affordable after-school clubs due to public sector cuts.
She said: "That is not happening. Schools see the importance of offering a good range of activities. Such a range can help attract pupils, and parents often cite an after-school club as a factor in their choice of school."
The survey also reveals the escalating cost of being a parent in terms of childcare and education.
According to LV, the total cost of sending a child back to school had increased by £27m to £736m over the past year.
The survey found that parents spend an average of £77 per child on "back to school" costs such as school uniform and stationery.
This rises to £81 for children of secondary school age. Parents in Scotland spend the most on back-to-school costs, at £89 per child. Those in the East Midlands spend £60 per child on average.
