MP welcomes three Portsmouth North schools set to benefit from £22.5 million enrichment programme

Milton Cross Academy, Mayfield School and Castle View Academy have been invited to take part in a new £22.5 million government programme aimed at giving more young people access to sport, music, volunteering, outdoor activities, arts and other enrichment opportunities.

The Enrichment Expansion Programme, delivered by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in partnership with the Department for Education, will support more than 400 schools across England.

The programme is designed to help schools expand the activities available to pupils, respond to what young people actually want to take part in and build stronger links with local sports clubs, charities, cultural organisations and community groups.

Support for participating schools is expected to begin in January 2027 and continue until March 2029.

Amanda Martin MP has welcomed the inclusion of three Portsmouth North schools.

Amanda Martin MP for Portsmouth North said: “I am really pleased to see Milton Cross, Mayfield and Castle View invited to take part in this programme.

“Every young person should have the opportunity to discover something they enjoy outside the traditional classroom, whether that is sport, music, the arts, volunteering or outdoor activities.

“We know that cost and other barriers can mean that some young people miss out on opportunities that others take for granted. This programme provides a chance to make enrichment activities more accessible and give more young people the opportunity to discover new interests, build confidence and develop skills.

“Portsmouth has fantastic community groups, sports clubs and organisations working with young people, and I hope this programme will help our schools build even stronger partnerships locally.

“I look forward to seeing what Milton Cross, Mayfield and Castle View are able to develop and how pupils themselves help shape the opportunities on offer.”

The programme is part of the Government’s wider youth strategy and its ambition to halve the participation gap in enriching activities between disadvantaged young people and their peers by 2035.