CHILDREN and parents are FAST friends after graduating from a pioneering education scheme at Parkwood Primary School.

Parents, pupils and staff this month ‘graduated’ from the second cycle of the Keighley school’s Families and School Together programme.

The 18 families attended a special ceremony where they were presented with certificates while wearing graduation robes and hats made by the children.

The ceremony, attended by 130 people, was followed by a buffet tea, family disco, and a photo booth featuring Elsa from Disney movie Frozen and Spiderman.

FAST, endorsed by the United Nations, involves weekly sessions aimed at helping children achieve more in the classroom and dramatically improve relationships with their families.

Families were given a fun and relaxed space to experience a mixture of play and learning activities, hands-on coaching, and support for parents and carers.

There were games such as emotion charades, singing, and physical activities for the children. Families also shared a meal together.

The latest nine-week round of FAST involved 18 Keighley families, adding to 24 who successfully underwent the first cycle last year.

Around 80 people attended each weekly session, and each week families could win a personalised family hamper.

The Parkwood parents, who all volunteered to take part, praised FAST for encouraging families to spend quality time together, and build a better relationship with the school and other parents.

Parkwood School organised the FAST sessions with leading charity Save the Children, and received funding from ITV.

The project was originally developed in the US by Professor Lynn McDonald and is running throughout the UK.

Parkwood head Richard Ballantine said pupils, staff, families and governors clamoured for a second cycle of FAST following the success of the first.

He said: “Any concerns that it would not have the same impact were soon dispelled and children would be asking every day ‘Is it FAST today?’

“Every week you could feel the excitement grow as 3pm on Wednesday approached. Staff and volunteers worked purposefully towards that time.

“Soon the FAST song echoes around the building and you can feel the positive and long-lasting bonds between school and home being built minute by minute.”

Helen Nistala, Save the Children’s Head of England, who will from London to attend the ceremony, said FAST had been phenomenally successful.

She said: “The feedback we get from schools and parents is always so positive.

“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.”

Parkwood parental involvement worker Caroline Patterson, the school’s FAST coordinator, said the programme was delivered by specially-trained ‘partners’ who included parents, staff, and representatives from local businesses, charities and agencies.

They were supported by staff and students from Parkside, Beckfoot Oakbank and Bingley Grammar schools.

Caroline said: “Overall the programme has been amazing! It’s been an honour and a privilege to have been witness to parents enjoying their children, enjoying themselves and building a school community.”

All pictures by RickyBarlow@yahoo.com.the