White Cliffs Primary College for the Arts runs groundbreaking scheme

Nineteen local families have 'graduated' from a pioneering new education initiative currently running in Dover District, proven to help children achieve more in schools and strengthen their relationships with their families.

Parents and carers, and their children aged three to eight who attend White Cliffs Primary College for the Arts in Dover have successfully completed an eight-week Families and Schools Together (FAST) programme. The children and their families were presented with certificates and congratulated at an event held at the school on Thursday (18 July 2013).

The FAST programme, backed by Save the Children and delivered locally by a range of partners including Dover District Council, supports families by working with parents and children in schools and has been endorsed by the United Nations. This programme has been funded by Morrisons, as part of its Charity of the Year partnership.

FAST aims to provide a fun and relaxed space for families to experience a mixture of play and learning activities, hands on coaching and support for parents and carers. The initiative has high success rates in improving family relationships and links between home, school and the local community.

Sue Fotheringham, Head Teacher at White Cliffs Primary College for the Arts said: "We have worked with these families and have formed stronger bonds with them. The project has had a significant impact in raising the confidence of our parents resulting in an improvement in family life for them."

Cllr Sue Chandler, DDC Cabinet Member for Children's Services said: "We are grateful to Save the Children for working with Dover as the first non-metropolitan area to host the FAST programme, and to the children, families, and community partners who have shown such enthusiasm for the project. We are proud to be partners in the delivery of the FAST project in Dover."

Anna Kettley, Head of Programmes for South of England at Save the Children said: "The programme has been a great success at White Cliffs Primary College for the Arts. Parents have the biggest influence on their children's learning and development and FAST gives families the opportunity to build on this. We believe that every child should have a fair chance to do the best they can at school and that every family should have access to proper support in their local area."