Enrichment opportunities must be viewed as a fundamental entitlement rather than an optional “add-on” for all pupils, a report commissioned by Camden Learning finds.
The report, by ImpactEd, considers the impact of the borough’s 12 Enrichment Pledges set out in Camden’s Education Strategy to 2030, Building Back Stronger. These pledges present the enrichment opportunities that every pupil will receive.
The report also makes eight recommendations for embedding enrichment into every pupil’s education. It finds that enrichment is most effective and powerful when it is embedded into the curriculum and that its impact is “significantly amplified” when integrated into pupils’ broader learning, ensuring universal participation in activities rather than self-selection.
Other recommendations include ensuring leadership buy-in, for example to protect teacher time to plan enrichment activities; and building in monitoring of student engagement – drawing on approaches such as awards to incentivise participation.
The importance of enrichment was underlined in the Curriculum and Assessment Review, published in November 2025, which set out a commitment to support every school to offer strategically planned and ambitious enrichment activities for all pupils.
Innovative practice in Camden
We are delighted to see that the report finds numerous examples of good practice in Camden, where schools are working successfully to embed our 12 Enrichment Pledges, helping to boost pupil achievement, engagement and confidence.
For example, Holy Trinity NW3’s diversification of its art curriculum to include artists from minority groups, and Kingsgate’s decolonisation of its curriculum, to make sure pupils see themselves represented are cited as excellent examples of schools embracing our first pledge which centres on belonging.
The report shows how schools are embracing our second pledge, on opportunities to perform music, drama and dance.Argyle Primary is highlighted for its partnership with a local dance organisation to provide professional coaching and help pupils see dance as a potential career, while Fitzjohn’s Primary School’s original Year 6 musical – where every child contributed to the lyrics – is cited for its success in helping pupils grow in confidence.
Primrose Hill Primary School is showcased for how it engaged Reception pupils in looking out at London’s skyline inspired by a reading project, sketching famous landmarks and then creating sculptures from recycled materials, reflecting our third pledge around creative expression.
Other case studies in the report include Regent High School’s project-based work with industry leaders to provide careers events focused on sustainability and the environment, and Hampstead School’s annual careers week and whole school careers fair, which reflect our fifth pledge around offering inspiring role models.
Robson House is cited for its partnership with a supermarket to offer pupils professional cooking sessions, reflecting pledge eight which centres on healthy eating, while Rhyl Community Primary School’s approach to combining garden-based learning with practical cooking in a purpose-built kitchen reflects the twelfth pledge of caring for the environment.
We are incredibly proud of all the examples showcased in this report and how schools in Camden are ahead of the curve when it comes to ensuring that enrichment is the norm rather than the exception. We hope that the findings included in the report can support wider conversations about how to embed enrichment opportunities for every pupil.
Camden Learning remains committed to delivering these bold and ambitious 12 Enrichment Pledges and to supporting teachers to access a wealth of enrichment opportunities for all pupils in the borough.
