Schools must link with youth services to boost pupil wellbeing, MPs told

Youth facilities and volunteers should be used to deliver clubs and activities without increasing teachers’ workload, Moussin Ismail, principal of Newham Collegiate Sixth Form Centre in London, told the education select committee.

At an evidence session looking at children’s mental health and wellbeing, chair Robert Halfon quizzed attendees on suggestions from government and think-tanks that extending the school day could help children recover from the pandemic.

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“There are some statistics that suggest if you have more enrichment activities, it not only improves wellbeing but also educational attainment as well,” Halfon, Conservative MP for Harlow, said.

Ismail added that “most headteachers would love to do that but the perennial issue is always going to be funding and who is going to pay for it”.

“I remember a time when I was in school, when you had lots of clubs in the local community who were able to send volunteers to run sessions.

“I think there is a missed opportunity in secondary schools to utilise youth centres and volunteers. Using some of the sports facilities and some of the sports coaching provided by youth centres as part of extended days would remove some of the burden that schools are facing in terms of workload and finances,” he added.

Catherine Roche, chief executive of children’s mental health charity Place2Be, said increasing access to extracurricular activities for all pupils is “hugely important”.

“The challenge is how to financially make that work for staff in schools. I think it’s probably down to what else is available within the local community,” she added.

Echoing the points made by Ismail and Roche, Lord Richard Layard, an economist who was also a commissioner for the Legatum Institute’s Commission on Wellbeing and Policy, told the committee that combining the expertise of school staff and youth services is “where the power is” in terms of increasing pupils’ wellbeing.

“I love the idea of having volunteers come in to deliver activities. If you can bring in people, I don’t want to add to the burden of teachers, so if you can combine the two that’s where the power is,” he said.

The evidence session took place during Children’s Mental Health Week 2022, which runs from 7 to 11 February.