Early years
Holiday activities and food (HAF) programme
The holiday activities and food (HAF) programme is a government funded programme until March 2025, that provides free holiday clubs for reception to year 11 pupils in receipt of benefits-related free school meals in Lincolnshire over the summer, Christmas and Easter holidays.
The HAF programme is designed to ensure a high-quality experience for children that will result in receiving healthy and nutritious meals and maintaining a healthy level of physical activity. Children and young people (CYP) who attend HAF develop a greater understanding of food, nutrition and other health-related issues and have the opportunity to take part in fun and engaging activities.
The following data is based on HAF delivery within the 2022 to 2023 academic year.
Attendance to HAF provision
| Holiday | Primary | Secondary | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter 2022 | 2,881 | 547 | 3,428 |
| Easter 2023 | 3,490 | 577 | 4,067 |
| Summer 2023 | 3,781 | 722 | 4,503 |
A higher proportion of primary aged children attend HAF, though secondary attendance continues to grow.
HAF 2023 attendance by gender
| Holiday | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Easter | 53% (2,156) | 47% (1,911) |
| Summer | 52% (2,342) | 48% (2,161) |
A higher proportion of males attend HAF provision than females.
Growth of HAF funded special educational needs and disability spaces
| Holiday | 2022 | 2023 | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easter | 177 | 784 | 342% |
| Summer | 597 | 1,215 | 103% |
| Winter | 622 | to be confirmed | to be confirmed |
The volume of HAF funded SEND spaces continues to increase holiday period by holiday period and year-on-year.
Reporting on other protected characteristics is challenging as the Department of Education (DfE) do not require returns on age, race and religion.
During 2024, the HAF Team continue to increase the volume of SEND spaces and grow secondary provision and attendance whilst identifying creative solutions to increase the volume of funded HAF places, during the fourth year of national delivery.