Lowerplace Primary School set to take part in FAST

The Javaid Family at FAST session last year

Lowerplace Primary School in Rochdale is set to take part in FAST (Families and Schools Together), an early intervention programme which brings parents, children, teachers and the wider community together.

The programme, which will be running for eight weeks starting in January, is run by Middlesex University and Save The Children.

Nichole Mulkeen, the Family Outreach Worker at Lowerplace Primary School, said: “This is the second year we are running the programme. It is not just an after school club, it is about learning and different experiences for children and their families.”

FAST aims to increase parental involvement and increase children’s resilience, wellbeing and ability to learn whilst also helping to build relationships between families through a multifamily approach.

“The programme is for the whole family so children come along with their parents and older and younger siblings, even if they attend different schools, for the sessions.

"Last year we had one family who brought Nana and Grandad every week so that was really nice to see,” added Nichole.

As part of the programme the school works with local organisations, including Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, Link4Life and Sure Start Centres, to deliver a variety of sessions.

Last year’s programme saw 19 families take part with several positive outcomes which included:

• Over a quarter of the children involved showed an accelerated academic progress during the FAST process.
• Children showed an improvement in behaviour.
• Reductions in conflict and improvements in family cohesion.
• One third of families reported a significant improvement in parent-child relationships.
•  One parent is now a member of the schools governing body.

Nichole added: “We had a really good response last year and the programme was well supported so we are hoping to replicate that again this time.”

Lowerplace is currently recruiting families for the FAST programme which will run from 21 January for eight weeks.

Anyone interested in the programme can contact the school directly.