My Science Club welcomes the Department for Education’s new Enrichment Framework
My Science Club is founded on the basis that learning should spark curiosity, build confidence and help children discover what they’re capable of. That’s why we are delighted to see the Department for Education’s (DfE) new Enrichment Framework place enriching experiences at the heart of every child’s education.
The Framework establishes that enrichment is no longer an optional “bolt-on” for the privileged, but a universal common entitlement for all children across England. Although published as non-statutory guidance, its primary goal is to remove socio-economic barriers so that every student, regardless of background, wealth, or location, can build critical life skills, confidence, and real-world connections
How does My Science Club support the four key principles of this framework?
- Universal Scope Across 5 key categories
The entitlement guarantees that all pupils in schools should have equal, structured access to activities spanning five key categories over time:
- Civic Engagement
- Arts and Culture
- Nature, Outdoors, and Adventure
- Sport and Physical Activities
- Wider Life and Future Skills
My Science Club supports and enhances the fifth category specifically with STEM clubs being explicitly referred to and we know how much scientific literacy contributes to responsible and active citizens of the future. Many of our packs take learning outside and include many sporting and physical activities too so can compliment school’s focus on categories 3 and 4 as well.
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- Targeting the Disadvantage Gap
A central pillar of the entitlement is equity. Backed by the government’s £132.5 million “Every Child Can” programme, funding is also targeted to support activities during weekends and holidays. This funding is intended to level the playing field and achieve the national ambition of halving the participation gap between disadvantaged youth and their wealthier peers by 2035.
Our inclusive approach at My Science Club using integrated instructions, accessible resources, open ended and collaborative opportunities mean My Science Club provides resources to bridge this gap once the young people are involved.
Bryony and Paul are both accredited trainers of the Primary Science Capital Teaching Approach (PSCTA) and have ensured an equitable and inclusive approach is at the heart of everything we do at My Science Club helping children to see that science is for them.
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- Accessible and Inclusive Delivery
Under the framework, schools must actively build an accessible and engaging offer for all pupils, not just confident pupils or those that can afford them. Schools must systematically dismantle typical barriers such as cost, transport, scheduling ensuring SEND and vulnerable children are fully included.
Here at My Science Club, we deliberately keep costs low, utilising readily available resources and free up educator’s time by doing the heavy lifting of designing and creating sessions, testing them so you know they work and leaving schools to focus on the bit they do best, know their children and support them to access their offer.
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- Integration into Quality and Inspection
While the framework itself is non-statutory, the “entitlement” will be reinforced by Ofsted who will incorporate these benchmarks into their inspection toolkits under the “Personal Development and Well-being” judgement from September 2026. Inspectors will look at how the school’s programme is genuinely accessible to the entire student body.
Whilst we would be foolish to suggest that using My Science Club resources will help your Ofsted outcomes, what we do know from schools who are using our resources is that science clubs are popular, easy to run and enjoyable for everyone, can’t say fairer than that!
Click here to read the enrichment framework in full
As schools look to strengthen their enrichment offer, My Science Club remains committed to supporting educators with high-quality inclusive and accessible STEM experiences that complement the curriculum for all learners.
Together, we can help every child experience the excitement of discovery and develop the confidence to imagine a future shaped by science, innovation and creativity.
If you want to join My Science Club, click here and enter the code MSCEnrichment for a 20% discount on a 12-month membership valid until end of July 2027.
Bryony & Paul
Co-founders of My Science Club