Too often, people diminish the importance of extracurricular clubs, implying they should take a backseat to the real focus of an education: academics.
However as of the 2019 school year, UK educational assessors OFSTED disagree and are including the range of extracurricular opportunities available to pupils in their school assessments, saying they are the building blocks to growing active, healthy, and engaged citizens.
Extracurricular clubs can include everything from sports to music, but each one demands a pupil’s continued commitment to learning a new skill not offered in the school-wide curriculum. This level of dedication and determination shows that extracurricular activities can actually bolster your pupils’ approach to academic learning.
Of course, we might be a little biased, but don’t take our word for it. Here are three reasons to get behind the effort to bring more extracurricular opportunities to pupils across the UK.
1. Hello Smarty Pants!
Believe it or not, spending time on extracurricular activities can actually help improve your pupils’ academic grades! Studies show that taking part in enjoyable educational opportunities positively influences brain function – and not just due to the new skills learned. Involvement in extracurricular clubs requires a pupil to be self-motivated, responsible, and adept at time management. By developing these traits, children involved in extracurricular clubs have the tools necessary to excell in their academic subjects, as well.
2. Want to be friends?
Children thrive on connecting with each other, but that can be difficult during an academic class session. Pupils enrolled the same extracurricular activities share at least one common interest, making it easy to connect through this shared learning experience. Building friendships is an integral part of childhood development, as studies show healthy friendships lead to healthy lifestyles, self-confidence, and a healthy mind as an adult.
3. Make Learning Fun!
Too often, referring to daily lessons as “work” and repeated reminders that “assignments don’t have to be fun” can take their toll on a child. Many pupils come away from lessons frustrated and defeated, convinced they just don’t like learning. Studying a subject they are passionate about – with others who share a similar appreciation – helps children to remember that learning can be rewarding and fun.
Are you convinced yet?
Adding a variety of extracurricular activities to your school’s timetable will not only help you meet Ofsted’s ‘Outstanding’ criteria but also guarantees you are doing your best to provide your pupils with experiences and opportunities that set them on a path for success.
If you wish to enrich your school’s extracurricular activities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us; we are experts in providing engaging educational experiences in all things music related! We would be happy to have a conversation about how we can help you optimise your school’s offering.
Contact us now at: info@teachmajor.com