How can we help Relationships Education Relationships Education Relationships education in schools Schools have a vital role to play in preparing children and young people for healthy and reliable relationships throughout their lives. Evidence suggests that by prioritising relationships throughout school life, schools can improve amongst other things, mental health, staff retention, parent engagement, behaviour and academic performance. FASTN brings together educators and specialist relationship organisations. Together, we aim to shape an understanding of the importance of upcoming statutory Relationships Education and share examples of inspiring relationships education practice from schools and school leaders. We regularly work with educationalists and parent groups to share information and inspiration. A few examples of this can be found here. All of our work in Relationships Education is guided by the Principles of Excellence, based on relationship research and practice, and co-ordinated by FASTN. We always love to hear from educators and influencers, keen to see great relationships learning in schools. Please get in touch with your inspiring examples of relationships education practice or ideas for collaboration. Principles of excellence in relationships education Over the past six months, we have been collaborating with a group of relationships organisations and practising educators to identify what excellence in relationships education is. Based on relationships research, relationship education practice and the expertise of relationships organisations, we have collated a set of principles to help guide educators to adjust to statutory requirements in a way that embraces the importance of relationships. You can download that document here. The document can be used by school senior leadership, RSE leads and teachers to identify what their school is already doing and what more they could do to be providing excellent relationships education. Sport Birmingham FASTN have collaborated with Sport Birmingham and Birmingham City University on a project to understand how mentoring and sports activities can help young people learn about relationships. The M.A.D programme is run by Sport Birmingham and provides mentoring and activities for young people at risk of, or already in, exclusion from mainstream schooling. Birmingham City University interviewed the participants of this programme to better understand the relationship skills and understanding they had gained from the programme. The learning from this project has been distilled into a useful document, Experiencing Healthy Relationships Through Sport can be downloaded here.