An arts project that supports after-school film clubs has been shown to integrate, and engage with, disadvantaged children, according to research published this week.

An evaluation of thousands of education charity Filmclub’s projects in schools across the country found that more than nine in 10 club leaders believed that the scheme had opened up culture to many who otherwise might not have been able to benefit from such experiences.

Some 89 per cent of Filmclub leaders said the clubs were effective at engaging pupils with special educational needs; 91 per cent said they helped to engage children facing other barriers to learning; and 81 per cent said that Filmclubs integrated isolated or disengaged children.