Children receiving benefits-related free school meals in Merton will continue to enjoy free holiday club places during half terms, this school year.
Merton is the only London Borough running Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) clubs in half-terms.
HAF clubs offer children an opportunity to enjoy a range of exciting activities and trips and nutritious meals during the main school holidays – Christmas, Easter and Summer – with funding from the Government.
Merton Council is pleased to be able to once again extend HAF clubs to the October, February and May half terms with funding from the council’s £3 million Cost of Living Fund.
HAF clubs ran during half terms for the first time during the last school year (2023-24) and achieved excellent outcomes: there were 96 HAF providers, and 2,400 children who took up free, fun and action-packed sessions. The half term offer also meant a higher proportion of Merton pupils participated in HAF, enjoying 30 per cent more club days than the national average.
Starting with the upcoming half term from Monday 28 October – Friday 1 November, there are a variety of clubs to stimulate every interest from sports, arts and crafts to dance, ecology and drama. Children can try something new, build skills and make new friends. Pupils will also receive a nutritious snack or meal at the club.
Families with children aged between five and fifteen years on benefits-related free school meals can access the clubs for free through a voucher scheme, to ensure holiday activities are accessible to low-income families.
Our HAF clubs welcome pupils with Special Education Needs (SEN) support at school. Parents of pupils in our Additional Resourced Provisions (ARPs) have received SEN HAF vouchers for their own programme, with some activities just for children, and some for their whole family. Clubs at Hatfeild and Liberty Primary Schools are organising day trips for their ARP pupils too.
Cabinet Member for Finance Councillor Billy Christie said:
“We’re delighted to continue offering free HAF club places in half terms this school year, following its success last year. The variety of clubs encourages curiosity and learning in a fun and active way, and we hope we can reach even more families this year.
“Half term HAFs are being delivered from the council’s £3 million Cost of Living Fund to make sure children from low-income families don’t miss out.
“If your family is eligible, you will have received a voucher to sign up for loads of great activities in the October half term. See what’s on offer and book your child’s places today.”
To find out more about HAF, visit: www.merton.gov.uk/HAF