Peterborough children cutting down on screen time thanks to summer holiday scheme
One of the city's biggest primary schools is taking part in the programme
With the summer holidays in full swing, a school in Peterborough says a food and activities (HAF) scheme is helping stop children spend more time in front of screens.
Fulbridge Academy - which caters for around 900 pupils - been part of the city council-led programme since 2021, and usually sees all 50 places it offers taken up.
"Six weeks can be a long summer holiday; the children are outside, exploring things, they're not sitting at home on a computer maybe playing video games," Alison Barnes, vice-principal at Fulbridge Academy, said.
"It's getting them out, seeing their friends, keeping them active and involved with other people."
Primary and secondary aged children who receive free school meals can attend the HAF programme, set up by Peterborough City Council.
Up to 16 sessions take place at each school that has signed up to the summer programme, which encourages children to eat healthy, be active, take part in engaging activities and have a better knowledge of health and nutrition.
Matteo, 7, has been attending the HAF sessions at Fulbridge Academy for the last three years.
"The most I enjoy about being here is playing with my friends, do lots of activities and one of the best things is jumping on the air track," he said.
"I like to play tag with my friends or hide and seek; it gives me lots of energy, makes me go hyper and makes me feel like this is the best day of my life."
Zahra, 5, also goes to Fulbridge Academy and is going to the HAF sessions for the first time.
"I have a lot of energy and I like to do a lot of races," she told us.
"The best thing I like is playing with my friends, do lots of jumping and doing races on the air track."
The HAF programme - funded by the Department for Education - is set to continue for the next three financial years from 2026-27.
Since 2022, the Government says the programme has provided 15.6 million HAF days to children and young people across the country.
"It gives the children somewhere familiar to come and get to see their friends; we have lots of different activities but we want to try and give the children something new to experience, how can we improve and what new things we can offer for the next year," Ms Barnes added.