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 the understanding and delivery of meaningful Relationships Education and share examples of inspiring 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

The Principles of excellence in relationships education are an essential tool for school leaders to help young people achieve healthy relationships and can support the now compulsory Relationship Sex and Health Education curriculum. However, healthy relationships shouldn’t just be restricted to a taught lesson, these Principles are to support schools to improve the wellbeing of the whole school community by putting healthy and reliable relationships at the heart of everything they do. Fastn, in partnership with practicing educators and 19 leading relationships organisations, has used relationships research and relationship education practice to help you take action to transform young people’s relationships.

Download the Principles of excellence in 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.