Schools play a vital role in preparing children and young people for healthy, dependable relationships throughout their lives. Evidence shows that by prioritising relationships in every area of school life, schools can improve many things - including mental health, staff retention, parent engagement, behaviour and academic performance.
All young people need the support to:
Fastn research shows that 81% of parents (of primary and secondary age children) believe relationships education should help children develop ambitions for relationships throughout life.
Young people also recognise that schools are key in supporting them to develop their relationship expectations and skills. This is vital when we consider the huge inequalities across young people’s experiences of relationships at home.
Schools are society’s key opportunity to address these inequalities and transform young people's life outcomes.
Fastn brings together educationalists, relationship organisations, relationship education partners, membership organisations, parent groups and decision makers to:
All of our work in relationships education is guided by the Principles of Excellence in Relationships Education. Developed with partner organisations, the Principles are based on relationship research and practice.
We support our frontline partners in making the most of their positive relationships with schools and their pupils, putting healthy dependable relationships at the heart of all they do. We encourage them to start conversations in their networks and to challenge others to take action on relationships.
We lead a broad network of organisations with relationships expertise. Together we equip schools to ensure everyone in the school community witnesses and experiences positive relationships, as well as learning about them.
Through our network, this expertise is shared in a sustainable way - tapping into, extending and deepening existing practice. This approach achieves good reach and delivers excellent value for money. As a result, more schools are able to help all their pupils to witness and experience healthy, dependable relationships.
In the past year, Fastn has enabled:
Healthy and dependable relationships are the glue at the heart of our lives. If you agree and want to take action, we’d love to hear from you. You can:
Take a look at the case studies listed below and see what relationships practice you could develop in your setting:
We have collaborated with partners to create a range of resources that will support your school’s relationship learning. Take a look and see how you could use them.
This PSHE Association Quality Assured Relationships resource supports the inclusive delivery of statutory Relationships and Sex Education. It features chart-topping rapper Nick Brewer. Read more
A tool for school leaders to help support the compulsory Relationship Sex and Health Education curriculum. Read more
A resource that enables school leaders to support young people in developing the relationship skills they need for a better future. Read more
A new teaching resource developed with TrueTube that puts family relationships front and centre of schools' efforts to support children post-pandemic. Read more
A resource based on the learning from Sport Birmingham's M.A.D programme. Read more
Rapper Nick Brewer released this poem to inspire young people to think about their relationships and the commitment they need to thrive in life. Read more
A resource for parents of KS3 and KS4 pupils that supports productive conversations with their children about relationships. Read more