GEC Inclusion Index - Staff - Key Behavioural Area 10
Wider Curriculum
“The wider curriculum is available for as many students as possible.”
61.5% agree
⬇ Worsening concern
So what?
The wider curriculum — trips, clubs, arts, sports — is where students build confidence, connection, and a sense of self. It’s often the beating heart of school life. And while it’s encouraging that 61.5% of staff said that inclusion in the wider curriculum is available for as many students as possible, the data also reveals a more complex truth:
Access is still uneven, especially for the students who might benefit the most.
Staff highlighted a range of unintentional exclusion factors:
“We run loads of trips — but most of our Pupil Premium students can’t afford them.”
“There’s no inclusive PE. Students with physical disabilities just sit and watch.”
SEND and PP students were frequently flagged as missing out, not from lack of interest, but because provision wasn’t built with them in mind.
The barriers also affect staff trying to lead inclusive enrichment:
“There’s no cover if I want to run a club. So I don’t.”
“After-school stuff doesn’t reflect student interests — it reflects what staff can offer.”
The GEC Platform: Proven Solution
The GEC Platform highlights who is participating — and who’s not — in enrichment, using identity-informed data to ensure equity of access across the wider curriculum.
📊 Key Findings from 26,000 Voices:
61.5% of staff said wider curriculum inclusion was prioritised
But PP and SEND students were consistently underrepresented
Staff said a lack of time, cover, and student voice limited inclusive enrichment
🎯 Why It Works:
The GEC Platform:
Surfaces invisible gaps in enrichment participation
Promotes staff voice in identifying logistical barriers
Encourages the co-creation of culturally relevant and accessible programmes
Links enrichment strategy to D&I and pupil wellbeing priorities
When inclusion lives in the wider offer, schools build community, confidence, and commitment — for staff and students alike.
What Works?
Inclusion in enrichment is not just about availability — it's about intentional design.
Where schools actively consulted students, considered cultural and financial needs, and supported staff capacity, the offer became more diverse — and more meaningful:
“We asked what students wanted — they said dance and esports. Now we have both.”
To get this right, staff need:
Protected time
Training on inclusive extracurricular planning
Budget models that remove barriers for low-income students
Trust to create new offers that reflect who their students are
Because inclusion doesn’t stop at the classroom door. It must flow through every part of school life — especially the parts that build confidence and belonging.
When students thrive beyond the classroom, identity and community grow.
Next Steps & Free Stuff
Supporting the wider curriculum can feel like a heavy lift — especially with an inclusion lens added in. That’s why the GEC Circle is here to help.
From artists, athletes, and tech leaders to grassroots youth orgs and inclusion specialists, the most innovative and inclusive changemakers are in our network — ready to inspire your next wider curriculum adventure.
👥 Explore the GEC Circle:
🔗 Meet the People
📌 Check out offers, ideas, and creative partnerships on our GEC Pinboard:
🔗 GEC Pinboard
📊 Use the GEC Score Card to see where your wider curriculum hits the mark — and where it could go even further.