The Digital "Rest and Reset": Summer 2026 Edition

We’ve a suggestion - Make Summer Holidays 2026 a digital “rest and reset”.

This might seem like a strange message to get via an electronic mail from a digital service.

Why would we want teachers, school leaders, and - by extension - your whole school community to use technology less over the break - when we sorta depend on you valuing our communications and service accessible via screens?

Because, ‘always on’ is unhealthy. For teachers, it leads to burnout faster. For children, it can deprive them of the freedom of unmediated play and …(dare I say it?) boredom.

‘Always on’ makes it harder to make positive choices, critical judgements, trusted relationships, and creativity unique to that person.

I am not going to waste time here trying to prove this. We know it instinctively - it’s a tangible, textural thing. Children who’ve been playing in the mud, making up games (perhaps with invisible friends), or making their own dance moves come into class with experience that give us far more to teach with. It’s a feeling, yes. But it’s also backed up by evidence that fills the news and (ironically) our feeds - especially with the UK Government having announced a ban on social media for under-16s, and more advice on smartphones for schools on the way.

I’m not going to tell you how to do it either. Whether you set times in the day when to look at your phone (maybe setting automatic airplane mode), or suggesting a set of experiences to do over the break, sessions for staff and parents to share ideas, or asking the kids for their suggestions - you will know what is right for you and your setting.

Nor will I spend time stacking proofs and evidence against each other - or tearing down politicians, big tech moguls because those false binaries that dominate our media and news landscape are rarely part of school life. We know that the lives of children are messy - and that digital technologies are now integrated into all our lives whether we like it or not. We can teach digital literacy all we like, but part of reflecting on that technology means time AWAY from it.

And there is SO much to inspire and support us over the next few weeks. Whether it’s the annual inspiration of Wimbledon for all of us to try to hit a small ball over a net successfully, or dance a football between ‘jumpers for goalposts’ - National Sports Week has loads of ideas

I’d also urge you to check out the more inclusive sports like Goalball, or new ones, like Ultimate Frisbee (my personal favourite!)

Of course, the best Summer Holiday memories are often those that happen outdoors and in nature. Thanks to The National Trust for their ‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’, as these ideas are viable for everyone. One of my favourites is just to watch a sunset which, for many kids, means staying up after bedtime - and being with their carers/parents away from the routine of normal evenings. It’s also fun to extend into star gazing - if the weather allows!

Leadership and Community are the keys to this being transformational. There are barriers to involvement - and they are not always obvious, or all to do with money.

The hardest thing and perhaps the most important - is to model what this could look like. For class teachers - whether or not your school leaders have coordinated a digital rest - show your class what it looks like, share your plans for the Summer. School leaders, share how you will be resting from screens over the Summer, and encourage staff to do the same.

So, when kids and staff start thinking about the return to school in September, there is a wealth of experiences, new skills and, perhaps, whole hours of boredom (and the related benefit of daydreaming!) to feed creative writing, maths problem solving and playtimes with school friends.

Then, maybe, some of you will take a fresh look at our wonderful Hamilton Brookes resources, and see them anew and renew in September!