More than 400 secondary schools to share £22.5 million for clubs, sport and activities

More than 400 secondary schools in disadvantaged communities will receive tailored support backed by £22.5 million through the government's Enrichment Expansion programme. The announcement does not say which schools will take part or whether any are in Newcastle.

The money will help schools run more activities during the school day or after school, including music groups, engineering clubs, debating societies, football teams, volunteering projects and outdoor learning programmes. The government says hundreds of thousands more young people will get the chance to take part.

The programme will be delivered by the Youth Sport Trust and a team of national partners. Dedicated Enrichment Co-ordinators will manage clusters of local schools, helping them identify gaps in what they currently offer, draw up enrichment plans and connect with local partners. It is funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and delivered with the Department for Education.

The scheme follows the State of the Nation survey of more than 14,000 young people, who said they wanted safe spaces, trusted adults, better mental health support and greater access to enriching activities. The government says young people least likely to take part in such activities are more likely to end up not in education, employment or training. Under its Youth Matters Strategy, launched in December last year, it has committed to halving the gap in participation between disadvantaged young people and their peers by 2035.

Schools Minister Georgia Gould said: "This investment will help hundreds of thousands more young people access the activities that build confidence, spark ambition and open up opportunities for the future, helping more children stay on track in education and fulfil their potential."