Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have considered the need for all students to have diverse access to opportunities for enrichment as part of the development of the new Advanced British Standard.

Employability, enrichment and pastoral activities (EEP) are an important part of current post-16 study programmes as they prepare students for future education, employment and life.

On 4 October 2023, the Prime Minister announced plans to introduce the Advanced British Standard (ABS) for 16 to 19 year-olds in England over the next decade. Under the new ABS, the department proposes that EEP activities should continue, to enrich students’ wider personal development, health and wellbeing as well as prepare them for future study and work. The department anticipates that most students will participate in 150 hours of EEP activities over the course of their ABS programme.

The department understands that effective EEP is important for all students regardless of what level they are studying at, which is why the department is currently seeking views on this via the ABS consultation which launched on 14 December 2023 and is due to close on 20 March 2024.