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Oshl in Wales

Wales has a long and rich history of pupils learning outside school hours, both within the school and in the community. Chapels, yr Urdd and Young Farmers Clubs, as well as a whole range of independent providers, have contributed greatly to the promotion of artistic, sporting and cultural activities and other interests of all kinds. In recent years understanding has grown that out-of-school-hours learning has a crucial role to play in the learning of every child. This commitment to the expansion of out-of-school-hours learning is noted in the Welsh Assembly Government’s vision for The Learning Country which states that: ‘Every child will receive a full prospectus of out-of-school-hours activities combining volunteering, enterprise, cultural, sporting and outdoor activities by 2010’.

Out-of-school-hours learning is an activity which young people take part in voluntarily, outside normal school hours. Oshl activities may take place before the start of the school day, at lunch-times, after school, at weekends, during holiday periods, or quite independently by a range of providers in a variety of settings.

While the prime purpose is to enable young people to follow a specific interest or fulfil a particular need, an important outcome is the improvement in their motivation and self-esteem, and their ability to become more effective, lifelong learners.

There is now strong evidence to show that pupils who take part in out-of-school-hours learning programmes:

  • have greater self-esteem
  • show a more positive attitude towards learning
  • attend school more regularly
  • behave better
  • have opportunities to develop relationships with pupils and adults beyond their usual circle
  • have higher attainments than similar groups of pupils who do not take part.

Evidence of these benefits includes the findings of a three-year study on the impact of participating in study support (out-of-school-hours learning), undertaken by the Quality in Education Centre at the University of Strathclyde. 

Out-of-school-hours learning therefore offers young people more than just a range of activities or a place to do their homework. Participation can also provide the vital social skills that will enable them to become active citizens, with fulfilling careers and lifelong interests.

Oshl programmes offer schools and other providers the freedom to develop a range of new, exciting and imaginative opportunities that enhance the quality of a young person’s learning. 

Oshl spectrum of activities:  

  • Homework clubs - facilities, resources and support for homework
  • Help with basic and key skills, including literacy, numeracy, reading clubs, ICT, and family literacy/numeracy/learning programmes
  • Clubs linked to particular curriculum subjects such as science, design technology, history or modern foreign languages
  • Welsh language initiatives, either involving pupils on their own or structured as programmes to support family learning or literacy
  • Clubs offering subjects not generally available through the curriculum, such as archaeology, Italian or Japanese
  • Creative activities such as drama, dance, mime, music or art
  • Sports, team games and other outdoor activities
  • Opportunities to pursue specific interests, for example, environmental projects, fishing, steel bands, circus skills or pottery
  • Mentoring by older pupils and adults other than teachers
  • Supervised play and positive play experiences
  • Breakfast clubs
  • Training in practical skills such as first aid, road safety or self-defence
  • Activities for the whole family, such as family sport and family fun.
  • Supplementary schools
  • Residential programmes, activity weekends, visits and holiday programmes
  • International/multicultural activities
  • Community service schemes and volunteering activities in school or in the community

Code of Practice for Out of School Hours Learning, Welsh Assembly Government, 2003