March 2026 - head of department for phse at reddish vale high school
Heart Programme impact report by F Rockey
The HEART programme is a nine-week healthy relationship programme for young women and men
in year nine and upwards. The programme gives young women and men the information to
understand the complexities of domestic violence and abuse, how to respect and love themselves
and others and how to navigate a healthy relationship. The programme also teaches them that if
they ever experience domestic violence and abuse that it is never ever their fault.
Below is a summary of the year 10 pupil voice outcomes.
q: What was important to our 10 students about the HEART programme?
Students felt the session has helped them to identify unhealthy relationships and what these
look like.
Students recognised how spouses should be treated in a relationship
The Man Box- something that boys learn at an early age that they need to fit in to. The
central premise of the Man Box is that if you don’t fit in, you’re not a real man, and not
being a real man carries a heavy social price
Learnt about society’s views of men and women.
The impact attending HEART has made to our students’ lives:
How to view people in the right way instead of judging
Recognising students’ own feelings
Increased confidence
Improved how our students react in certain situations and improve self-belief
Favourite session feedback:
The man box activities
Creative sessions
Vision board tasks on values and future goals
Debate sessions
Magazine cut out tasks
What our students liked most about attending their HEART group:
Safe and fun environment
Being able to explore different opinions
Learning about characteristics of the man box
First session- being introduced to Kelly and Jake
Would students prefer teachers to teach HEART or an outside agency?:
All said outside agency because it’s more comfortable and friendly, less awkward, wouldn’t be the
same with everyday teachers. The sessions are more confidential and private with an outside
agency.
What have our students learnt/what are their strengths?:
Students felt they can now recognise what an unhealthy relationship looks like, being able to identify
red flags. Students felt they have become more patient and realised they can voice their opinion
whilst treating other people with more respect.
What have our students learned about themselves on the course and how could they use it in the future?:
Confidence
Standing up to people who are judging others
Knowing how they want to/should be treated
Talking about issues
Discovering what they value in a relationship
Learning about safe relationships
The MANBOX theory
What is the most important thing they will take from the HEART sessions?:
That it’s ok to say no
When to leave an unhealthy relationship
Some realised their actions do have an impact on others
The MANBOX theory
To summarise our year 10 students have greatly benefitted from the heart sessions delivered by Kelly and Jake. Students have enjoyed sharing their views and discussing what a healthy and unhealthy relationship looks like Which has then developed into recognising when and how to walk away. Almost all students mentioned the benefits of the man box theory they have learnt about and the stereotypes assigned in society to men and women. Overall feedback from students has been extremely positive about the HEART programme.
January and february 2025 - BLACKPOOL COUNCIL staff.
Q: How does this training compare to other training you have attended?
I liked the pace and how it was broken down. No death by power point!
Clear about the actual cause: need for change in beliefs.
Good in showing views of women and not just seeing them as a statistic.
It brought everything together in a soft way, but also enough information to gain a clear insight into domestic violence towards women.
Q: HOW WILL THE TRAINING CHANGE/ENHANCE YOUR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE?
I will be able to support staff and young people in spotting signs of domestic abuse.
I have more tools to help educate my students.
I have a better understanding about domestic abuse and the training provided ways to engage conversation at prevention level.
I think it will change my approach to see what the perpetrator has done rather than question the
behaviour of survivors.
It has given me a greater knowledge of the effects on children and what they are experiencing at home.
It has opened my eyes to the lasting impact domestic abuse can have on families and children.
I feel better equipped to challenge behaviour and more knowledgeable about domestic abuse.
Q: Did the trainer’s style assist your learning?
The delivery style was casual and so allowed time for debates and input from attendees.
We had open, inclusive and non-judgemental discussions; the trainer was knowledgeable
and her humour was appreciated as was the survivor’s story.
Q: wHAT THREE WORDS WOULD YOU USE TO DESCRIBE THe domestic abuse TRAINING?
Relevant, revolutionary and respectful.
Educational, informative and powerful.
Eye opening, inspirational and impactful.
Thought provoking, moving and brave.
Shocking, fun and detailed.
Useful, enlightening and supportive.
Essential, important and interesting.
Q: If you think this training will change/improve your personal relationships with family members AND/ OR COLLEAGUES please say in what way.
I can take this learning and present to colleagues and family at home (where needed).
It will help me to raise awareness in team meetings so others can support young people appropriately.
I will reflect on the man box and aim to be on the outside of it, and I will use this approach when I am around family and coaching football to children.
I am in a better position to understand how the language I use impacts females around me. I also feel in a stronger position to call men out on inappropriate behaviours.
It will affect these relationships as it has made me aware of my own beliefs and the beliefs of those around me.
As a mother, it has made me aware of pressures my sons may feel they are under. It has also explained some of the characteristics my dad used to display.
I will now be able to understand why the men in my life might behave the way they do and be able to challenge them to change the way they think and behave.
Understanding the man box has already made me look at family (male) members and how they interact with women in certain ways.
It has made me more considerate of pressures on males in my life and also to challenge where necessary.
Q: How did the domestic violence and awareness training contribute to your understanding of the content of Respect 100 training?
It made me aware of how systemic and widespread the issue is and how important this work is.
It gave me a solid basis to work from.
The man box links to the attitudes of power and control in abusive males learnt previously. This made Respect easier to understand because the courses flow well and lead into each other really well.
Q: Would you recommend this training to your colleagues? If so why?
Yes, I would recommend this training as it has the potential to influence them both personally and professionally.
Yes- informative and life changing.
Definitely! It should be part of teacher/school training for all. Shine those lights!
It should be given to all people who work with young people and not just a specific few.
It opens up avenues for discussion you would not normally have nor think about, unless you have been in an abusive or controlling relationship. It also makes you challenge the norms of society.
Yes, because it will help them have the understanding and knowledge of this topic so it can help people we work with.
Q: what three words would you use to describe the respect 100 training?
Insightful, holistic and educational.
Impactful, thought provoking and powerful.
Assertive, important and enlightening.
Useful, needed and informative.
Relevant, compelling and positive.
Reflective, important and engaging.
Interactive, eye-opening and enjoyable.
One attendee responded: “I have really enjoyed this training and it will forever
have an impact on me and my family. Informative, realistic and empowering”.
February 2023 - stockport council staff
Q: What did you like most about this training?
The inspirational and passionate people who delivered it.
It made me self-reflect on some of my own behaviours and where I learnt them.
Understand the challenges and concepts of Respect and how it impacts positively on relationships. Change young people’s experiences.
I loved that the training is very interactive and encourages healthy debate and creates a safe environment for honesty.
Non-judgemental and relaxed atmosphere. Made me more knowledgeable and equipped me to facilitate this training confidently.
Open honest conversations. Practical resource materials
Room for discussion and able to ask questions.
Interactive learning-discussions.
The knowledge received. The ability to ask questions at any point. To feel comfortable about raising any issues or concerns.
Q: How do you hope to change your practice because of this training?
Deliver more group work.
Long term, redefined job role to enable this to be delivered to as many students as possible.
Equip boys and girls to experience healthy relationships.
I hope I can provide advice and guidance to the professionals I work with in supporting vulnerable families.
Give young people the tools to make a difference.
To empower – educate at least one young person to have the ability and power to change learned behaviours – leading to improving the lives of women and children and more importantly themselves – by relating knowledge learned to listen understand and support the young people in more specialised way.
Q: If you think this training will change/improve your personal relationships with family/family members please say in what way.
It will make me think about my parenting to my own son and the values we are teaching him and things to be aware of in terms of what society may be teaching him.
As a parent of a boy, it makes you reflect on the experiences/information he has
I feel more comfortable being vulnerable and self-reflecting.
Educate them more about positive relationships.
Q : Please find three words to describe your experience of this training.
Informative, empowering, excellent!
Inspirational, thought-provoking, life changing.
Informative helpful empowering
It has built my confidence. Made me more knowledgeable. Keen to make a difference.
Genuine, Knowledgeable, fun.
Informative, interesting, empowering.
Interesting, uplifting, insightful.
Knowledgeable, real, thought-provoking.
Better reflection on personal contribution to Man box behaviours and gender socialisation of other men, specifically my sons.
To be more confident to recognise behaviour and discuss and backup discussions.
April 2018
HEART is a fantastic resource to schools as the programme reaches young girls where they are at and understands the pressures and challenges they face to conform to society.
HEART challenges young people to think for themselves and be strong and confident about their true identities. HEART has had a profound impact on the young girls in my school from day 1. One of the most noticeable changes was their decision to stop wearing make up to school. This was a choice the girls made themselves as they learned that everything they do should be to make themselves happy and no one else. The girls school attendance improved and their education changed as they began to dream about their own futures and believe in themselves. HEART will stay with them forever and will be a constant reminder to them of who they are and what they deserve in life.
- Hannah Knight
Assistant Head of Year, Reddish Vale High School
April 2018
HEART gave my daughters an opportunity to weigh up their own thoughts and opinions against societal expectations regarding issues such as body image and relationships. I watched my girls develop as the programme went along, becoming more self-assured and confident in voicing what their needs were and in getting those needs met. Girls need to know that it's okay for them to have a voice and use it. HEART helps them to find it."
- G
Parent Testimonial
April 2018
Kelly delivered a series of HEART sessions to girls on both of our campuses and the feedback from our students was amazing. They found the course content to be thought-provoking and extremely relevant to their teenage lives. They were particularly impressed with Kelly’s knowledge, enthusiasm and empathy and most agreed that they would be applying much of what they had learned to their current and future relationships.
I found Kelly to be exceptionally well informed about her subject material; during the planning stages she was keen to ensure the course, materials and delivery were going to be tailored to the needs of our students. Both in the lead up to and delivery of the sessions she demonstrated great flexibility in terms of her availability and willingness to work around the constraints of the college timetable and calendar. I would want to highlight Kelly’s acute awareness of the potential impact of her course on the thoughts and feelings of the young people involved. She was very mindful of their safety, insistent upon confidentiality within the group but also very aware of her responsibilities regarding safeguarding. Kelly came back to college after the courses had been completed to provide an ‘after care’ service for some of the students involved – a lovely touch and typical of her desire to ensure that the students gained the most they could from her programme."
- Michael Rivett
Head of Student Safeguarding and Wellbeing. The Cheadle and Marple College Network.