Schools & Higher Education

Schools & Higher Education

Our multi-award-winning UK Schools Programme, delivered by FORWARD’s experienced facilitators, provides a comprehensive, and wide range of age appropriate services and activities for primary and secondary schools; and higher education institutions.

Our services

We believe that schools play a vital role in protecting and supporting girls affected by or at risk of FGM. Schools also hold a unique position to address FGM, because they are connected to families, the wider community, as well as professionals.

Our services are designed to support students and their parents, educators and external organisations working with schools to understand the key issues that affect girls from affected communities. We deliver age-appropriate and culturally sensitive sessions at the primary level 5 and 6 and to secondary and college students. We also offer Safeguarding Sessions for all staff members in a train the trainer’s courses.

Our awards

  • Community Health Development Award in the Health & Wellbeing Awards 2016. From the Royal Society of Public Health – RSPH.
  • The Healthcare and Medical Research category award at The Charity Awards 2015

In numbers

  • 2,000

    FGM awareness schools sessions delivered in 800 schools and colleges, since 2013

  • 36,000

    Young People attended our FGM sessions, including primary & secondary students, since 2013

Our school programme covers:

  • One-to-one support for students
  • Outreach Services or Drop-in Sessions: Spaces for young people to get more information. They can be adapted to fit a school’s existing support services or needs.
  • Student Awareness Sessions: Age-appropriate, culturally sensitive and interactive. FORWARD’s FGM lesson plan is flexible and can be tailored to a school’s needs
  • Staff Training: Includes an FGM overview, identifying and safeguarding girls at risk and providing support for those affected by FGM.
  • Youth Friendly Resources 
  • Advice and Guidance for schools: Advice on how to respond and engage on FGM.
  • Parents Sessions
  • Train the Trainers: Training for staff, older students or external organisations who want to deliver FGM sessions in schools.

Contact us – book training or find out more information

We also offer bespoke training courses tailored to your specific needs. To arrange an FGM session for your school or training for your staff, for more information, or to register for training, please contact [email protected] 

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The head of FORWARD’s youth programme came and spoke with our girls, who found her to be really honest and open. Despite the sensitive subject matter, there was no embarrassment or difficulty, and they thoroughly enjoyed her visit.

Philippa Toogood, religious studies teacher, Downe House School