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School holidays are a wonderful time for children to unwind, but for many parents and carers, they can also bring added financial pressures, particularly when it comes to balancing childcare and extra grocery bills.
Fully funded by the Department for Education (DfE), this free initiative ensures that children and young people across Rutland have access to enriching experiences, a safe space to socialize, and nutritious meals throughout the school break.
What is on Offer?
The HAF programme blends physical activity, creative expression, and healthy eating into highly engaging day camps. Eligible children from Reception to Year 11 can join specialized holiday clubs located across the county. Depending on the specific hub and provider, the activities include:
Sports & Team Games to keep children active and moving.
Arts & Crafts to spark imagination and creative development.
Cooking Workshops teaching basic kitchen skills and food education.
Nature & Outdoor Exploration taking full advantage of Rutland's beautiful environment.
Alongside the day's events, a completely free, healthy, and hot meal is provided to every attendee, ensuring all participants are well-nourished.
Summer 2026 Key Dates and Booking Guidelines
The Summer 2026 HAF programme will officially run from Monday 27 July 2026 to Friday 21 August 2026.
The dedicated online portal will open for bookings precisely at 7:00am on Tuesday 23 June 2026. Because spots are highly sought after and funding is capped,
How to Secure Your Place
No Pre-Registration Required: You do not need an account beforehand. When you make your first reservation via the
Need Help Navigating? If you are unsure how the portal works or how to allocate your holiday credits, you can review this step-by-step
Important Cancellation Rule: If your child can no longer attend a session, you must notify the specific event organiser immediately using the contact details found on your booking receipt. Because slots are limited, unexcused absences mean another eligible child misses out on free food and activities. Repeated failures to cancel appropriately may result in the forfeiture of your remaining holiday credits.
Who is Eligible to Attend?
The primary criteria for the core HAF programme is that a child must be eligible for income-related (benefits-related) Free School Meals.
Important Distinction: This is entirely separate from the Universal Infant Free School Meals automatically given by the government to all children in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2. To qualify for HAF, parents or carers must be actively receiving a qualifying benefit verified by their school or the local authority. You can verify your status or submit an application directly via the
The 15% Discretionary Funding
As in previous years, Rutland County Council reserves the right to allocate up to 15% of its total HAF funding to support vulnerable children who do not strictly qualify for benefits-related free school meals but would significantly benefit from the camps.
Children currently or previously looked after (in care)
Young carers balancing adult responsibilities at home
Military and service children facing deployment-related transitions
Families currently receiving assistance from the Household Support Fund
Please note that individual clubs may feature specific age restrictions, so be sure to check the parameters of your chosen activity when booking.
Accessible Support: Transport and One-to-One Care
The council is dedicated to removing physical and economic barriers so that every eligible child can participate seamlessly.
Help with Travel
If getting to an activity hub presents a challenge, you can browse local public bus routes via the main
One-to-One Adult Support
If a child has Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or requires a Personal Assistant (PA) to safely navigate the activities, funding may be accessible through their existing Aiming High allocation or Carer's Allowance.
If additional 1:1 support is still required beyond these streams, requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis depending on provider availability. To discuss your family's personal circumstances, email the coordination team directly at haf@rutland.gov.uk with your child's name, their contact details, the date of the session, and the specific activity name.
Further Resources & Community Insight
For real-time updates on local club openings, provider spotlights, and community feedback, follow the official
If you would like to examine the direct impact and metrics of previous rollouts, you can review the official council documentation by downloading the
For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area, visit:
