Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many applications her Department has received from secondary schools wishing to extend their school day.

The Department is aware of the excellent work schools and teachers are doing to offer students extra-curricular activities and experiences outside the classroom. These activities make a significant contribution to young people’s non-cognitive skills and development, as well as their attainment.

Since the March 2016 budget, the Department has been reviewing how funding from the soft drinks industry levy could be used to help schools offer a wider range of activities and support pupils’ health. The department is currently determining the details how this funding will be allocated and we will provide further details in due course.

Therefore the Department does not currently invite applications from secondary schools, nor has the Department granted funding to schools specifically for the purpose of extending their school day at this time. As a result we are unable to provide the information requested.