Families and Schools Together
Families and Schools Together (FAST) is an award-winning project that supports parents to improve their children's learning and development at home, so they can reach their full potential at school. FAST has shown some amazing results. In 2011 we helped 3,600 children and with your support, we plan to help many, many more.
Education is the key to breaking the vicious cycle that keeps people poor – generation after generation. Children from deprived areas are 50% less likely to get five GCSEs at A-C grades as children from better off areas.
Our award-winning FAST programme seeks to redress this achievement gap by building stronger relationships between parents, children, teachers and their communities so children have a better chance to fufil their potential.
Weekly sessions include coaching parents to lead activities in which children take turns, listen to rules, answer questions and to do as their parents ask, and also to play with their children and share a family meal together.
FAST delivers success
- In the past year teachers reported a 10% improvement in children's reading, writing and maths after completing the FAST programme
- There was a 52% reduction in poor child behaviour at home, and a 40% reduction of poor behaviour at school
- 90% of parents said they had stronger relationships with their child
Our vision is that by 2014, we’ll establish over 400 groups across the Britain, improving the life chances of 50,000 children and training more than 8,000 new practitioners. We’ll prove to government that it’s possible to break the cycle of poverty for good.
What parents and teachers say
"The FAST Programme has been a very positive experience for all those involved. It has raised the confidence of our parents and created a really positive relationship between the school and our families. We look forward to the positive benefits growing and enriching our school and community life.”
Head teacher, Pentrebane Primary School, Cardiff
“I believe that it will have a long lasting impact on my children’s lives, because they are more confident, more willing to try new things and are speaking up for themselves - characteristics that will help them go far in life”
Waheda, London
What you can do to help
To expand the programme we need your support:
Donate now to give disadvantaged children the chance to succeed at school
We're now also looking for local authorities to work with us to expand FAST in more communities.
If you work for a local authority or have links into your local council, please get in touch with Peter Bryson to see how you can help us get FAST commissioned in your area. Email: p.bryson@savethechildren.org.uk