More West Berkshire schools to take part in summer holiday activities promoted by Marcus Rashford

MORE schools and children in West Berkshire will be able to take part in summer activities promoting healthy eating and lifestyles.

West Berkshire Council has received additional funding from the Department for Education (DfE) to expand the Holiday and Food Activity (HAF) programme to a further 13 schools this summer.

Pupils aged five to11 will go to participating schools over the summer break for a range of activities while learning about nutrition.

Plans for community activities for children aged 12 and over are also planned.

The expansion follows 15 primary schools participating in a new trial to provide children aged five to 11 who receive free school meals (FSM) with activities, which also taught them how to keep fit and healthy.

Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford, who has campaigned on and spoken of his struggles with food poverty when he was younger, sent a letter to all parents of children who receive FSM encouraging them to sign the children up to HAF this summer.

The letter included a link to a video of him showcasing some of the HAF activities

The aim of the programme is to provide enriching, physical and nutritional activities to promote wellbeing.

Children will learn about the benefits of ‘eating a rainbow’ of different foods and have the opportunity to take part in a Family Snack Challenge.

There will also be cookery demonstrations to provide practical knowledge around preparing and making food.

The council's executive member for children, young people and education Dominic Boeck (Con, Aldermaston) said: "Being able to expand the HAF programme for summer is incredibly exciting.

"School holidays can be pressure points for some families because of increased costs and reduced incomes.

"Holiday clubs such as these are a response to this issue and a great help to families.

"These clubs will offer much more than lunch, but most importantly, the children have a great deal of fun and enjoy spending time with friends.

"All in all, it’s a wonderful scheme that offers countless benefits and I’m pleased that we’re able to open this up to more children for the summer."