Evaluation of the Save the Children "Families and Schools Together" (FAST) programme.

INTERVENTION: Through an RCT design, schools will be randomised to the intervention or the control group. The FAST intervention is then delivered to a sub‐group of children and their families within the intervention schools. Save the Children UK (SCUK) deliver the FAST programme in schools in England, via a license agreement held by Middlesex University and the FAST programme team in the USA.. 1. Intervention arm: schools run the FAST programme. This in an 8‐week after school parental engagement programme for whole families which takes a structured approach to improving family relationships, family time, communication, behaviour, and wider community spirit. Families then continue to meet in any way they wish for a further 22 months, in a period known as FASTworks. 2. Control arm: schools do not take part in FAST but continue with and record their usual behaviour. Control arm schools receive a payment from SCUK upon data completion for the trial. CONDITION: This study is exploring the educational and behavioural benefits of the FAST programme on year 1 primary school children. ; Not Applicable PRIMARY OUTCOME: Primary outcome (KS1 attainment) – assessments sat in May/June 2017, marked independently, raw scores from NPD will also accessed Sept 2017 SECONDARY OUTCOME: Secondary outcome (SDQ) – mid‐point, after each block of 8‐week delivery (i.e. Dec 2015, April 2016, and July 2016). A further SDQ at end‐point July 2017. ; INCLUSION CRITERIA: Schools were recruited to the trial if they met the following criteria: 1. Primary school in England with Key stage 1 pupils. 2. Schools must have > 20% of pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM) 3. Schools must be maintained, free, or academy. Sub‐group inclusion criteria ‐ any family with Year 1 children felt by the FAST local partners including school partners to benefit from the programme. This could include an invitation to all families with year 1 children; and/or it could include some targeted invitations to participate in the 8‐week programme.