The Department for Education Enrichment Benchmarks provide schools with a framework for developing enrichment that is strategically aligned, broad and well-rounded, accessible and engaging, delivered in partnership and focused on outcomes. You'll likely know that the unique breadth of our service - residential, outdoor learning and creative arts experiences - can contribute to several of these benchmarks, so we're providing our partner schools with the support to deliver against the framework and the evaluation to back it up.
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
The first benchmark highlights the importance of aligning enrichment with wider priorities, including attendance, behaviour, curriculum, personal development and wellbeing. Standalone activities can be excellent, but we've seen that using residentials and day visits have greater impact on the whole school community when designed to support the broader aims of the school.
For many years we've drawn on our own experience as educators, and on sector guidance, including The Outdoor Education Adviser's Panel's "Guide to High Quality Outdoor Learning and Residential Experiences" and more recently the Institute for Outdoor Learning's updated "High Quality Outdoor Learning 2025" amongst others. These resources emphasise the importance of clear learning outcomes and meaningful reflection to maximise impact.
That's why we were pleased to see these principles reflected within the Enrichment Framework, alongside recognition that residential, outdoor learning and creative arts experiences can make a direct contribution to a school's enrichment priorities.
We encourage schools to plan visits well in advance, with clear objectives linked to their intended outcomes. During the planning process, we'll work with you to align the experience to your priorities and evaluate its impact afterwards. And while purposeful outcomes matter, we never forget the fun. In our experience, pupils learn best when they are engaged, challenged and enjoying the experience.
A BROAD AND WELL-ROUNDED OFFER
The benchmarks identify five broad categories of enrichment:
civic engagement,
arts and culture,
nature,
outdoors and adventure,
sport and physical activity,
wider life and future skills.
The DfE specifically includes residentials and camps within the nature, outdoors and adventure category.
Ingestre Hall features on this excellent CLOtC overview
Our service a service spans creative and expressive arts, nature connection, and outdoor adventure, so we are very well placed to help schools provide a rich and balanced enrichment offer addressing several categories simultaneously.
BELONGING, INCLUSION AND ENGAGEMENT
Running throughout both the enrichment framework and wider education policy is the importance of helping children feel included, valued and connected. Enrichment often creates opportunities for pupils to succeed in ways that are not always evident in the classroom.
The importance of enrichment in building belonging is increasingly supported by research. The University of Oxford's OxWell Student Survey, which gathered responses from more than 35,000 pupils across England, found that school trips were the most highly valued activity for fostering a sense of belonging at school, cited by 58% of respondents. This was true across all demographics, including pupils with SEND, higher absence rates and those reporting loneliness or poor mental health.
"The theme was about liking who we are and being accepting of all people for their differences... we go as four schools (pupils do not know each other at the start of the week) and through the activities they bond together... The drama groups held children who are sometimes seen as different but their message about being different but wanting to belong really came across due to the work carried out.."
Helen Beckford-Bond, Headeteacher, Blakedown CE Primary School
We see this regularly in our centres where we pride ourselves on a warm welcome, a caring community, and providing challenge in a supportive environment. Shared experiences outside the classroom create opportunities for pupils to connect with others, strengthen relationships with staff and develop a stronger sense of connection to their school community.
MAKING ENRICHMENT ACCESSIBLE
The framework makes clear that enrichment should be available to all young people. Affordability remains a challenge for many schools and families, and widening participation is therefore crucial.
We work with schools to overcome barriers through funding guidance, lower-cost residential programmes at selected times of year, coordinated arrivals and departures to maximise transport efficiency, and late-availability opportunities where appropriate. In the case of Sandwell visits, we're thrilled that we can still offer fully-funded term time visits for Care Experienced children thanks to Sandwell Virtual School.
AN OUTCOMES-FOCUSSED APPROACH
One of the most important benchmarks is the expectation that enrichment should focus on outcomes. Rather than simply counting participation, schools are encouraged to consider the difference enrichment makes.
We've covered how we work with schools to identify intended outcomes before a visit to ensure experiences contribute meaningfully to school priorities. And this year we're sharing an evaluation pack with our partner schools to help demonstrate the purpose and impact of a visit.
"The expertise, enthusiasm and energy from the centre staff was excellent... we felt extremely welcome as a staff team - we became part of their team and they became part of ours."
Dumpton School
PARTNERSHIP WORKING
The benchmarks also recognise the value of partnership. Residential centres, outdoor learning providers and creative arts venues bring specialist expertise, facilities and experiences that complement a school’s own provision. Working together can enhance opportunities for pupils while reducing workload for school staff.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Enrichment Benchmarks are not a checklist but a framework for creating opportunities that help young people thrive.
Residential, outdoor learning and creative arts experiences are not the whole answer, but they can make a significant contribution to a strategically aligned, broad, accessible and outcomes-focused enrichment offer.
We want you to challenge us. Get in touch and see if we can help you achieve your aims.
Read more:
DfE Enrichment Benchmarks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-enrichment-framework-for-schools-and-colleges/enrichment-benchmarks
Every Child Achieving and Thriving: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving
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