How long does ESAS take?

Schools can decide their own timescales and pace for carrying out ESAS activities, however our learning from the pilot is that momentum is key to impact and success.

We suggest scheduling the main activities to take place over one to two years – though this will depend on schools’ capacity and other priority areas of work. It is of course better to take a gradual and sustained approach, monitoring and reflecting on the impact of your activities, than to try to complete everything as quickly as possible.

The impact is ultimately about the change made to your school, rather than how many activities have been completed: changes such as the knowledge and attitudes of young people and staff, the prevalence of sexism and harmful gender norms, the support given to young people affected by gender-based violence, and ultimately to levels of gendered violence.

We therefore recommend that schools engage with ESAS as holistically as possible. However, whilst a holistic approach is recommended, schools can of course choose to take a lighter-touch approach, drawing down whichever tools they wish without undertaking all activities.