FAMILIES at Enniskillen Integrated Primary School graduated together recently from the Families and Schools Together (FAST) programme delivered by Save the Children. 

An award-winning, early intervention programme for primary school-age pupils, it was given the thumbs up by Principal Adele Kerr, who encouraged other schools to become involved.

FAST brings parents, children, schools and the wider community together, to help parents create opportunities for learning and development at home and to make sure children get the support they need to fulfil their potential at school – and in life. 

FAST is part of the SATCHEL Project – ‘Schools and the Community Helping Education and Learning’ which focuses on parenting skills, healthier lifestyles and building stronger relationships between family and school. It is currently running in 27 schools across Tyrone, Fermanagh and Derry.

The SATCHEL Project is a partnership between Barnardo’s NI, Sure Start, Save the Children, Early Years, The Western Trust and Derg Valley Care. It is funded by the Executive Office until August 2017. 

Adele Kerr, Principal of Enniskillen Integrated PS, felt the FAST Programme “was an amazing opportunity for families to come together with school staff and other volunteers to spend quality time together.”

She added: “As the speed of the pace of life appears to be quickening it was fantastic to make time for each other. The school would not have been able to offer this programme without the much needed support of Save the Children and Barnardo’s, for that we are very thankful. I would encourage other schools to become involved in this worthwhile programme.” 

Laura Fitzpatrick, Programme Manager for Save the Children in Northern Ireland, describes how the FAST programme supports parents: “One of the factors that influence a child’s success at school is the type of support and stimulation their parents provide at home. Another is the relationship parents have with their child’s school. That’s why FAST brings families, schools and community organisations together, to help children fulfil their potential and improve their chances in life.

Not only is the programme fun for all involved but importantly, following completion of the FAST programme, 81% of parents reported feeling more able to support their child in his or her education. 92% of the parents complete the programme.” 

Bernard O’Shea, SATCHEL Project Manager, said: “Everyone wants the best possible start in life for their children. Working with children during their early years is crucial to ensuring their long term health and educational achievement. SATCHEL provides parents with the skills needed to support their child and make sure their child’s transition from nursery to primary is a healthy, happy and successful one.” 

SATCHEL provides parents with access to parenting programmes including Incredible Years, Family Links Nurturing, FAST, Cook It and Toddler Yoga. It also provides speech and language support for children in school and trains teachers in the use of the Media Initiative for Children.