"Highbrow" cultural experiences like museum visits don't affect GCSE grades, but reading can be influential, research suggests.
The study by researchers Dr Sarah Stopforth of the University of Sussex and Vernon Gayle, University of Edinburgh, said there is no evidence to suggest that cultural engagement can reduce social class inequalities in pupils' exam results.
While it was "tempting to theorise that visits to museums or historic venues might be helpful in igniting interests in history, and that visits to the theatre might similarly cultivate learning in drama" the pair found it hard to justify this approach, especially when compared to other subjects.
"Educational commentators seldom (if ever) suggest that going to football matches or attending church has any positive effects on outcomes in GCSE Physical Education or GCSE Religious Studies."
Reading was more influential in addressing class divides in educational achievement: "Our empirical findings send a clear and actionable message for policy and practice... schools would be better placed to concentrate on increasing reading activities," the study said.
Neither researcher returned requests for comment.