Research and analysis

Holiday activities and food: literature review

Findings from a literature review commissioned in 2018 to understand the evidence about the impact of school holidays on pupils.

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 16 December 2020

Applies to England

Documents

Holiday activities and food: literature review

Ref: ISBN 978-1-83870-225-0, DFE-RR1088

PDF, 464 KB, 56 pages

Details

This literature review was commissioned by the Department for Education in 2018 to understand the evidence about the impact of school holidays on pupils, especially those from disadvantaged homes.

This report reviews published evidence regarding 2 potential effects.

1. Holiday learning loss, where pupils potentially lose academic skills and knowledge over the summer holidays. The review investigates evidence of the extent of holiday learning loss, who might be affected and what provision is effective to mitigate holiday learning loss.
2. Holiday hunger, where children and families are unable to afford sufficient nutritious food during school holidays. The review investigates evidence of the extent of holiday hunger, which children are affected and how they and their families can be supported during the holidays.

The review also covers evidence on existing holiday food provision, including best practice on encouraging participation and attendance among disadvantaged groups.

Published 16 December 2020