FAQs

There are multiple organisations in Harrow that receive funding to run HAF activities which are advertised on our website. Please note that Young Harrow Foundation does not provide activities or manage booking requests directly.

When you find an activity that you like, fill out the online questionnaire with your details and the details of the child/young person. This will be sent directly to the organisation running that HAF programme. They will be in touch to ask for more information and/or to confirm your place. You will find contact details for the organisation on our website if you wish to follow up with a call or email.

To qualify for a free place in the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme, you have to meet the following criteria:

• The child / young person must be of school age – from Reception up to Year 11
• The child/young person must be living and/or attending school in Harrow
• The child must be in receipt of benefits tested Free School Meals*

*This programme is primarily aimed at those eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) benefits related - but not exclusively as we aim to include any child experiencing economic and social disadvantage.

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme is a Department for Education (DfE) funded programme of activities for children and young people aged 5-16 years, during the school holidays (Winter, Easter, and Summer). The programme offers a range of activities in Harrow, including some specialist SEND provisions. Places are free for children who meet the criteria, and a free nutritious meal is provided at each programme. Read the evaluation report.

Check if your child can get free school meals in England and find out how to apply on your local authority’s website.

We give funding to several organisations each school holiday for them to become a HAF provider. We publish their HAF activities on our website to centralise all the activities available and to make it easy for people to see what's available to book in Harrow but we don't run the activities ourselves, and therefore we don't manage the bookings or make decisions about the spaces available, the HAF provider does.

If you have a question about a specific activity we recommend you contact the organisation directly.

You need to contact the HAF organiser as soon as possible. You can find a list of the organisations on our website with their contact details on their profile.

If possible, please contact the HAF organiser if your child/children can't attend the HAF activities and note that the HAF organiser has a right to cancel your entire booking if your child/children don't go to the HAF activities in the first few days. You can find a list of the organisations on our website with their contact details on their profile.

Please note that Young Harrow Foundation is not responsible for the activities provided by the HAF organiser. Please contact the HAF organiser directly if you want to make a complaint. You can find a list of the organisations on our website with their contact details on their profile.

When you book a HAF activity through our website, the HAF organiser receives an email with your request. Please contact them directly if you don’t hear from them in 3 – 5 working days. You can find a list of the organisations on our website with their contact details on their profile.

There are multiple organisations in Harrow that receive funding to run their own HAF programme during the winter, Easter and summer holidays. We publish their programmes on our website a few weeks before the programme starts (mid-March, beginning of July and beginning of Dec approx.)

If you would like to be alerted to when HAF camps in Harrow are live and available to book on the website, please sign up here.

This programme is primarily aimed at those eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) benefits related - but not exclusively as we aim to include any child experiencing economic and social disadvantage.

If your child/children don’t qualify for FSM but you want to enquire about the possibility of booking a place, please contact the HAF organiser directly. You can find a list of the organisations on our website with their contact details on their profile.

Please note that this is a free provision for children and young people aged 5 - 16 years, living and/or registered in a school in Harrow.

No. You need to choose one HAF organiser per school holiday and it can be different each time. Please note that this excludes Harrow Winter in Wonderland. Your child/children can attend the activities organised by your chosen HAF organiser and go to Harrow Winter in Wonderland.

Yes, although you need to communicate it to your HAF organiser as soon as possible before finding an alternative HAF activity with availability. Please note that it might be difficult during the Winter and Easter school holidays due to the limited number of days of activity sessions our HAF organisers can offer.

Yes. HAF organisers can decline a booking request for various reasons. They will contact you if they need further information but usually, they can decline a booking request if the activity is fully booked, accommodate your needs, etc. Contact the organisation directly if you have any questions.

Our HAF organisers can accommodate your requirements. Please let them know when you submit your booking and/or in other communications.

Yes, your child/children and bring their packed lunch but please let the HAF organiser know. Even though your child/children bring their packed lunch they are still entitled to a free healthy meal a day during the HAF activities.

We fund a number of SEND specialist organisations to run programmes for children with moderate to severe needs and disabilities. Many of the providers also have experience and training to support children with low-level SEND. We recommend getting in touch with the HAF provider directly to discuss your child’s individual needs. You can find a list of the organisations on our website with their contact details on their profile.

If you are a professional that works with vulnerable children and wants to book a HAF activity on their behalf or you have any questions about the programme, please contact our HAF Manager, Cristina Garcia