As we bid farewell to the summer holidays, many of us will fondly recall the highlights of the past few weeks. Whether it was a vacation abroad, attending a festival or Eisteddfod, a family weekend in Llangrannog, or an adventure building a sandcastle in the rain, these moments provided a much-needed break from our everyday routines and offered invaluable experiences. 

As a former headteacher, I am aware of the short-term impact that extended holidays can have on learners' academic development. However, the holidays are also essential to the holistic development of each child. It gives learners the opportunity to relax, to foster creativity and curiosity and to meet new people, to name but a few. Building a sand city in the rain on Benllech beach was one of the highlights of my holidays, as I watched the children working together to build a sand city in the rain, showing ambition and perseverance!

As Lafan education Lead Consultant, I am passionate about equipping learners to achieve to the best of their ability. There is an old African proverb that says "it takes a village to raise a child" and we at Lafan understand how essential it is to have an effective support network when raising and educating children.