The enrichment framework asks for a common entitlement for all, not just those who can afford to pay, built from a mix of free, subsidised and paid activities. That single line reshapes how you budget enrichment funding. It launched on 15 June 2026 alongside a £132.5m Every Child Can programme and a £22.5m Enrichment Expansion Programme inviting 400 schools in deprived areas, both targeted rather than universal. This guide shows business managers and trust leaders how to fund a fair offer. For the full framework, start with our pillar guide.
Is there enrichment funding for the new framework?
Yes, but enrichment funding is targeted, not a universal per-school grant. The DfE has confirmed two new pots: a £132.5m Every Child Can programme funded through the Dormant Assets Scheme, and a £22.5m Enrichment Expansion Programme that invites 400 schools in the most deprived areas of England to take part over three years. Most schools will fund their enrichment offer from existing budgets, pupil premium where eligible, and partnerships, rather than from a dedicated framework grant. Plan your costed enrichment offer on that basis, then treat any new money as additional.
What is the Every Child Can programme?
The Every Child Can programme is a £132.5m investment, funded through the Dormant Assets Scheme, for new activities delivered through schools, community programmes, weekend activities and holiday provision. The government is developing it with The National Lottery Community Fund, and full details on how each strand works and how to apply will be published in due course. It is structured around the same five enrichment categories as the framework, so the activities it funds map directly onto what Ofsted considers under personal development. Watch for the application windows, then align any bid with your existing STEM enrichment plan so the two reinforce each other.
What is the Enrichment Expansion Programme?
The Enrichment Expansion Programme is a £22.5m fund inviting 400 schools in the most deprived areas of England to build a stronger enrichment offer over three years. Selected schools get support to meet the framework benchmarks and shape provision around their own pupils, covering activities such as sport, art, music, debating, volunteering and STEM clubs. Eligibility is tied to deprivation measures, so it reaches a specific group, not the whole sector. If your school sits in a qualifying area, this is the route to fund STEM workshops and clubs at no cost to families. Check the GOV.UK grant competition guidance for the current criteria and deadlines.
Can schools use paid providers for enrichment?
Yes. The framework treats free, subsidised and paid activities as legitimate parts of one offer, and external providers are recognised partners under Benchmark 6, which is about working beyond the school gates. Paying a specialist to run a workshop is not a workaround; it is one of the named ways to build breadth your own staff cannot cover. A specialist robotics or drone workshop brings equipment, expertise and a memorable experience that maps onto the life and future skills category. The framework’s job is to make sure cost is not the thing that decides which children get the experience.
How do you fund a fair mix of free, subsidised and paid activities?
Start by mapping each activity to a funding route so no pupil is priced out. Run free clubs and assemblies from staff time and existing resources. Subsidise higher-cost experiences with pupil premium, parental contributions on a voluntary basis, and trust-wide buying. Reserve paid external delivery for the things that need kit and specialism, such as a Year 6 cohort programming a robot to follow a line, then share that day across classes to spread the cost per pupil. Workshops start from £597 per day, and splitting one day across two or three groups lowers the unit cost while keeping the experience identical. Trusts can stretch budgets further by booking the same specialist across several schools on consecutive days.
What does a funded offer look like in practice?
A funded offer reaches children who would otherwise miss out, and it is already happening at scale. We have delivered 711 funded workshops through Royal Air Force and EKO routes, reaching 588 schools where the day cost families nothing. That sits inside more than 3,000 workshops delivered to 1,190 schools since 2018. Funded delivery is not a token gesture; it is a third party covering the cost so equity becomes real. You can see the full picture on our track record. When you cost your own offer, ask which experiences need a funder, a subsidy, or a shared booking to land fairly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every school get enrichment funding?
No. The new money is targeted, not universal. The £132.5m Every Child Can programme and the £22.5m Enrichment Expansion Programme reach specific groups, with the expansion programme limited to 400 schools in the most deprived areas. Most schools fund enrichment from existing budgets and partnerships, and should plan accordingly.
Is the enrichment framework mandatory?
No. The framework is non-statutory. From September 2026, Ofsted considers enrichment under personal development, looking for evidence that any enrichment is purposeful and varied, having regard to the enrichment framework where applicable. It is something inspectors will look at, not a compliance standard you must hit.
Can pupil premium pay for STEM enrichment?
Yes, where it meets your pupil premium strategy and benefits disadvantaged pupils. Many schools use pupil premium to subsidise places on STEM clubs and workshops so cost never decides who takes part. Record the rationale and the impact, since that evidence supports both your strategy statement and the personal development conversation.
How much does a STEM workshop cost?
From £597 per day, with the exact figure depending on the workshop, group sizes and how many days you book. Sharing one day across several classes lowers the cost per pupil. Use our instant quote tool for a tailored figure rather than a guess.
Where to start
Fair funding begins with a costed plan, not a scramble when an inspector visits. Map your activities to free, subsidised and paid routes, check whether your area qualifies for the Enrichment Expansion Programme, and use voluntary contributions and trust-wide buying to keep paid experiences in reach. When you are ready to add specialist STEM, talk to us about funded routes and shared bookings that spread the cost across your pupils. For trust-wide planning, see planning a trust-wide enrichment offer.
