Life might be edging back towards normality, but it will be a while before we gauge the full impact of the global pandemic, not least on children.

       Young people have had to adapt during COVID-19 with new ways of learning and less face-to-face interaction with friends, peers and teachers. Keeping up with sports and hobbies has also been difficult during this time.

       To help, the Department for Education has launched a new website for parents with information, activities and free online resources to boost your child’s academic development and wellbeing.

       One of the biggest initiatives kicking off this year will be a free summer schools programme for eligible secondary schools, funded by the department, to run during the holidays, mixing fun activities and academic support.

       These summer schools will last for up to two weeks, preparing students for the next academic year and helping them make up for missed learning during the pandemic.

       Mental health and wellbeing is an important part of this and as well as academic catch-up in subjects like maths and English and physical sports, there will also be team games, music, drama and other arts activities on the curriculum. This will also mean youngsters won't feel like they're missing out on summer holiday fun.

       Schools have let parents know if they are planning to run a summer school and, if so, which children have been invited to take part, with those pupils the school identifies as most in need being a priority.

       Secondary schools are being encouraged to think about including incoming year 7s in the programme because these students have missed time with their friends as well as the valuable preparation time needed to fully equip them with the jump from primary school.

       For those that need extra support, the National Tutoring Programme provides one-to-one or small group teaching with specialist tutors to help children with missed time in school. Schools have access to NTP Tuition support through the summer holidays where appropriate.

       School holidays can be a particularly difficult time for some families due to increased food and childcare costs and reduced incomes. It can mean that families struggle to provide food and activities for children.

       The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme has been supporting children and families in the school holidays since 2018 and has now been significantly expanded for 2021. The programme is operated through local authorities who each provide a rich mix of provision.

       The programme helps ensure that children have access to healthy food and enriching activities throughout the school holidays, during the Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays, providing children with an opportunity to have fun, learn new skills and make friends.

       Families who take part in the programme will also be able to develop their understanding of nutrition and food budgeting by having access to information and support. Contact your Local Authority to find out more.

       But the HAF drive isn't the only way the government is helping students to catch up during the holidays.

       It's important for children to use the school holidays to rest, recharge and play and the catch-up activities over the summer can be a part of that.

       The support available for children is wide ranging including physical health, mental health and social wellbeing, with access to sports, culture and arts forming part of the government's Rediscover Summer campaign.