Stephen Morgan MP has welcomed the announcement that Portsmouth has been chosen to take part in the Enrichment Expansion Programme, a £22.5 million investment delivered by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in partnership with the Department for Education.
As part of this programme, which will be led by the Youth Sport Trust and its consortium partners, 5 schools within Portsmouth have been chosen to provide local young people in disadvantaged communities with the chance to take part in activities beyond the classroom.
A share of the total £22.5 million investment will be allocated to each of the 400 schools across England chosen to deliver this programme in order to fund the expansion of their enrichment offerings and empower young people to shape the activities and experiences available to them.
Within Portsmouth, the following schools have been chosen to partake in the Enrichment Expansion Programme:
- Ark Charter Academy
- Castle View Academy
- The Portsmouth Academy
- Miltoncross Academy
- Mayfield School
These participating schools will receive support to strengthen their enrichment offer in line with the Department for Education’s Enrichment Benchmarks, respond to pupil voice and choice, and build stronger partnerships with local sports clubs, charities, cultural organisations and community groups.
Work with schools will begin in January 2027 and continue until March 2029, helping more young people access high-quality opportunities both during and beyond the school day.
This announcement marks a major step towards halving the participation gap in enriching activities between disadvantaged young people and their peers by 2035, a goal set by the Government within the National Youth Strategy published in late 2025.
Commenting, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“This Government is ensuring that young people in Portsmouth, regardless of their background, will be able to build fulfilling lives offline.
“By opening up more local opportunities to take part in positive, real-world activities, Labour is helping young people in this city discover their passions, build lasting connections and develop the skills and experiences that will support them throughout their lives.
“Enrichment can help young people build confidence, develop important life skills and feel more connected to their school community. However, participation remains lowest among those facing the greatest disadvantage, as well as those with special educational needs, meaning many young people are missing out.
“That is why I remain committed to providing every young person with the chance to take part in activities that inspire them, help them discover new talents and build a sense of belonging. Whether through sport, music, volunteering or outdoor adventures, these experiences can play an important role in helping young people thrive.”
This funding builds on the Government’s recently published Enrichment Framework, which sets out how schools and colleges can help children develop new interests, skills and experiences.
