ROUND UP


Education programme on mission to break cycle of abuse for the next generation


has received the programme for the past six years. Since then, staff have seen a huge difference in the pupils’ behaviour. Mrs Snape, Year 4 teacher, said: “The children


are showing a lot more empathy to each other. If there’s been conflict on the playground they look at reasons why it might have happened, not just jumping in as to what’s happened in the moment. “We don’t always have quality time with the


pupils but when someone else is delivering [the programme], you can sit with the children who need a bit of encouragement. When they talk to me about their family, you start making connections as to why some days they’re not as happy as others.” Miss Roper, also a Year 4 teacher, added: “It’s


really useful to sit and watch the children for different signs and how they react. There were a couple of children who got upset, but if you had been the one teaching, I don’t think you’d have been able to pick it up.” Year 6 pupil, Leyton, said: “We learnt about


D


omestic abuse affects around 1 in 5 children in the UK from every background and


happens behind closed doors. The damaging effects can be long lasting and impact on every area of children and young people’s lives. A research project ‘Boys to Men’ led by Dr David Gadd from Keele University found that nearly half of boys and a third of girls aged 13 – 14 thought hitting a partner would be ‘okay’ in at least one of twelve scenarios they were given. One Stoke-on-Trent based charity, Arch, is on a


mission to break this cycle of domestic abuse by reducing the likelihood of children and young people experiencing it in current and future relationships. ‘Relationships without Fear’ teaches primary


school pupils about healthy and unhealthy relationships, emotions and unsafe secrets, with issues of grooming and consent raised in secondary schools. As trends, issues and legislation changes, so does the programme with


regular updates to keep on top of the challenges children and young people face. Studies show that early childhood relationship


education intervention programmes benefit not only a child’s academic achievement, progression and attainment, but also helps reduce anti social behaviour and the likelihood of them being involved in crime in the future. Sarah Buckley, programme lead for


Relationships without Fear at Arch, said: “There is a raft of evidence to suggest that children who are subjected to domestic abuse where it hasn’t been dealt with don’t go on to live fulfilled lives. So it’s really vital that we recognise the importance of early intervention and ask the questions that sometimes we’re afraid to ask, or afraid of the answer.” Relationships without Fear has seen thousands


of pupils in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire over the 14 years the programme has been running. One Stoke-on-Trent primary school, Clarice Cliff,


abuse, where it happens and why it happens. We also learnt about controlling our anger and what happens when you’re angry. “The programme can help with things that


happen at home, if it’s happening to you, or if there’s something going on and you don’t know what to do about it.” Sarah Buckley added: “The biggest change we


normally see during the programme is the pupils’ willing to seek help. “On a pre-questionnaire the children are asked


if they would ever seek help from an adult, a friend or a trusted person and the majority of the young people tick no. By the end of the programme, when we’ve spoken about what the different agencies and charities do and the help that is out there, we have a 100% success rate in children ticking that yes they would seek help.”


‘Relationships without Fear’ is available as a four or six week programme, with tailored age appropriate courses for Year 4 up to Year 11. Prices start from £325 and include a full evaluation at the end, documenting the impact and outcomes. The programme is currently open to schools in North Staffordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire and Derbyshire.


uFind out more at archnorthstaffs.org.uk/schools-and-colleges


February 2019 www.education-today.co.uk 41


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