Earlier this month, Ofsted inspectors warned of the problems created when pupils start in secondary school without adequate skillsin literacy and numeracy - and how a lack of these basic skills becomes a barrier to learning other subjects.
The Westminster government says it is implementing these recommendations in the Apprenticeships, Children, Skills and Learning Bill currently going through Parliament.
The added value of these non-formal learning activities is that they result in a variety of skills, ranging from economically beneficial and socially useful skills, to skills for self-development.