Poor children missing out on after school activities

"Extended school" services such as after school childcare and breakfast clubs are being used by about three out of five pupils.
But pupils from more deprived backgrounds are less likely than average to be taking part.
A survey for the government found that nearly all schools now say they offer activities before or after school. 58 % of parents say their child has attended an activity or used childcare provided through or by the school in the last term.
Most parents and pupils are positive about what is on offer, but a substantial number are not. Two thirds of pupils say the activities available to them are good.
Parents and pupils from two parent families and younger pupils and their parents were most likely to say the activities meet their needs. But the parents of children in special schools were least likely to have services available which met their needs.
For both parents and pupils, the main appeal of activities was having fun and socialising. Less than a quarter of primary school parents said extended services allowed them to work.
70% of schools offer parenting support, and more than a third of parents have made use of this. Special school parents are most likely to have attended information sessions for parents.
Extended schools: survey of schools, pupils and parents