The Stay Safe Initiative CIC Announces Landmark Partnership with Acorn Education Trust

A long-term commitment to supporting young people across 21 schools through positive, preventative and empowering programmes.

The Stay Safe Initiative CIC is delighted to announce a landmark new partnership with Acorn Education Trust, which will see its acclaimed Boyz-2-Men programme delivered across the Trust’s 21 primary and secondary schools over the coming years.

The partnership will see schools across the Trust working together through a shared commitment to supporting the wellbeing, confidence and personal development of children and young people, creating a consistent approach that benefits pupils, staff and families alike.

In a further commitment to supporting young people across its communities, Acorn Education Trust has also partnered with Mighty Girls CIC, enabling girls across the Trust to access their empowering programme Being Mighty designed specifically to support their confidence, wellbeing and personal development.

Together, The Stay Safe Initiative CIC and Mighty Girls CIC will also deliver their collaborative programme, Better Together, creating opportunities for boys and girls to learn, reflect and grow alongside one another through meaningful conversations around identity, relationships, empathy and understanding.

For The Stay Safe Initiative CIC, this partnership represents a significant milestone.

While the organisation has worked with schools and academy trusts across the country for many years, supporting thousands of young people through its work in online safety, wellbeing and positive masculinity, this marks the first time a multi-academy trust has made a long-term strategic commitment to delivering the Boyz-2-Men programme trust-wide.

Richard Pomfrett, Founder of The Stay Safe Initiative CIC and Boyz-2-Men, said:

” I feel incredibly humbled by the confidence Acorn Education Trust has placed in our work. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside many outstanding schools and trusts throughout my career, many of which have trusted and supported our work for over 15 years now.

However, this partnership feels particularly special. It is the first time a trust has made a long-term commitment to embedding our work across an entire school community, creating a joined-up approach that will benefit young people, staff and families for years to come.

Boyz-2-Men was born from a passion to create safe spaces where boys can talk openly, think critically and develop the skills they need to navigate an increasingly complex world. To see a trust recognise the value and potential of that work on such a large scale is both inspiring and deeply humbling.”

The partnership reflects Acorn Education Trust’s commitment to investing in preventative, relationship-based approaches that help young people develop confidence, resilience, empathy and a stronger sense of identity and belonging.

Rob Price, CEO of Acorn Education Trust, said:

“We are incredibly excited about this partnership and the opportunities it will create for our young people across the Trust. Programmes such as Boyz-2-Men, Mighty Girls and Better Together have the potential to make a real and lasting difference by helping pupils develop confidence, resilience, empathy and a deeper understanding of themselves and others.

At Acorn Education Trust, we are committed to supporting the whole child, and we believe these programmes will play an important part in helping our young people feel valued, supported, develop a real sense of belonging, and be equipped to thrive both in school and beyond.”

Through Boyz-2-Men, Mighty Girls and Better Together, students across the Trust will have access to programmes that encourage open conversation, critical thinking, positive relationships and greater understanding between boys and girls.

Marsha Mars, Founder of Mighty Girls CIC, said:

“We’re so proud to be working with Acorn Education Trust and alongside The Stay Safe Initiative CIC to support young people across the Trust. This partnership feels really special, reflecting a shared commitment to wellbeing, positive relationships and personal growth for young people.

At Mighty Girls CIC, we create safe, supportive spaces where girls can build confidence, find their voice and feel empowered to be themselves. Working alongside Richard and Boyz-2-Men strengthens this, bringing a shared vision of respectful conversations and deeper understanding through programmes like Being Mighty, Boyz-2-Men and Better Together.

We’re excited about the difference we can make together, helping every young person feel seen, heard and supported.”

Richard added:

“This partnership is about much more than delivering sessions. It is about creating a culture where young people feel seen, heard and supported. It is about giving them the confidence to navigate challenges, celebrate their strengths and become positive influences within their schools and communities.

For us, this isn’t simply about delivering programmes—it is about building long-term relationships that help shape school culture. When schools, families and specialist organisations work together with a shared vision, we can create environments where every young person feels they belong and has the opportunity to thrive.

We are incredibly excited about the journey ahead and look forward to working closely with Acorn Education Trust, its staff, students and families as we build something truly meaningful together.”

As schools continue to navigate the growing challenges facing young people, this partnership represents a bold and forward-thinking investment in the wellbeing, development and future success of the next generation. By investing in boys, girls and opportunities for them to learn together, Acorn Education Trust is demonstrating its commitment to supporting the whole child and building stronger school communities for years to come.

About The Stay Safe Initiative CIC

The Stay Safe Initiative CIC is a not-for-profit organisation supporting children, young people, schools and families through programmes focused on online safety, wellbeing, anti-bullying, digital citizenship and positive youth development. Its Boyz-2-Men programme works directly with boys to explore identity, masculinity, mental health, relationships and positive role modelling.

About Mighty Girls CIC

Mighty Girls CIC empowers girls and young women through evidence-informed programmes that build confidence, resilience, leadership and self-belief, helping girls thrive both in and beyond school.

The Being Mighty creative workshop works directly with girls to explore body image and self worth, girls friendships and communication boundaries

About Acorn Education Trust

Acorn Education Trust is a family of 21 primary and secondary schools committed to providing outstanding educational opportunities and supporting the wellbeing and success of every child across its communities.