SELF DEFENCE FOR SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES
Educating young people in violence prevention, street safety, self defence and personal safety
Educating teenagers and young adults about the importance of self protection and how to stay safe is our number one priority.
Streetwise Defence offers in-person self defence classes in schools, colleges and universities across the UK and worldwide via online training - find out more and hear from schools we have trained below.
We are a trauma-trained self defence training provider. Our instructors are:
Enhanced DBS checked
TISUK Practitioners - having achieved the Level 5 Professional Diploma in Trauma and Mental Health from Trauma Informed Schools UK
Trained in first aid and mental health first aid and safeguarding.
SHOULD SELF DEFENCE BE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS?
In this inspiring interview, BBC Young Reporter winner Tegan explores why self defence should be taught in schools, highlighting the urgent need for skills to combat rising violence against women and girls.
Hear from students, teachers, and Dene Josham, Streetwise Defence Instructor, on the empowering benefits of self defence—and consider bringing a workshop to your school.
BBC Midlands Report on Why Self Defence Should be Taught in Schools
WHAT THE STATISTICS SAY
The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW 2020) states that:
Men and women aged 16 to 24 years were more likely to be victims of sexual assault than those aged 25+
Full-time students were more likely to have experienced sexual assault than people in any other occupation type.
We want to change these statistics, which in reality are individual people who have been hurt and traumatised.
Violence prevention and self defence class at Ibstock Place School
“The students were informed, entertained, and most importantly prepared for occasions where self-defence may be needed.
The first strategy of avoidance was excellent and persuasively explained why physical defence is not the first part of self-defence.
They loved the chance to try the palm strikes and the demonstration of shredding.
I haven’t heard a single negative comment. All of the students that I have spoken to have said how informative it was and that they enjoyed it.”
Mrs C Charles, Deputy Head, Stamford High School Sixth Form
Violence prevention and self defence workshop at Hurst College
“Amazing workshop delivered to children at a special school for high functioning autistic children.
The staff and pupils were engaged and fixated throughout and all said they came away from the workshop with a new and improved look on what being ‘streetwise’ is.
Dene answered all questions asked by the pupils.”
Lewis Russell, Churchill School
OUR PURPOSE
Our goal is to share our knowledge, advice and simple but effective self defence techniques with as many students at school, college and university as possible.
We hope that this will prevent the trauma of attacks that could otherwise be avoided.
SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WE HAVE TRAINED
SELF DEFENCE WORKSHOPS FOR STUDENTS
Teenagers and young adults should be able to enjoy school, college and university as the enriching experiences that they are.
Sadly, all too often, we hear of attacks on students, many of whom leave themselves vulnerable due to a lack of awareness of what is going on around them.
Our self defence training for schools, sixth forms, colleges and universities (including Students Unions) brings personal safety awareness to students.
It opens their eyes to dangers and the reality of the world we live in.
This isn’t to frighten them, it is to empower them to look after themselves and stay safe.
“They instantly made me and the other participants feel very comfortable, and created a safe space for all of us to get involved in.
They covered various scenarios which helped to open our eyes to all possible places we would need to defend ourselves, and conversely, they helped us to understand how to avoid the situation also and just walk away before initiating any violence.
The practical element of palm strikes was particularly exciting and after I had a chance to attempt shredding, which was even more intense.
Overall it was an amazing session ran by great people, and I think I can speak for all the SHS students who participated that the class left us feeling not only aware but empowered.”
Year 12 student, Stamford High School Sixth Form
self defence for schools - WHAT’S COVERED
Our self defence workshops for students includes:
Being aware of and switched on to your environment
Adrenaline and how your body reacts
Evaluating risks and avoiding violence
Mindset and body language
Types of attackers and their rituals
Common types of attacks
Self defence and the law
Effective physical self defence techniques – learning about soft tissue areas, responses to holds and grabs, when to strike first.
We do not teach punching, kicking or any martial arts - we teach simple but highly effective physical responses based on Special Forces techniques.
No experience or prior knowledge is required.
The techniques we teach are inclusive and suitable for people of all abilities, genders and levels of fitness.
Teaching a violence prevention workshop at Harris Academy Rainham
WHO IS IT FOR
Students of secondary school age and above are able to take part in the self defence classes we teach.
We tailor the course content to the age and situation of the students, so that they can get the most from it.
We have taught self defence at secondary schools, sixth forms, colleges and universities.
The response we have received from students has been very positive and engaged, with great feedback from pupils and teachers.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for the exceptional self-defense workshops you led for our students all day.
Your dedication and expertise in conducting these sessions were truly commendable. The effort you put into preparing and delivering such engaging and informative workshops is greatly appreciated.
Feedback from both staff and students has been overwhelmingly positive, with many noting the valuable skills and knowledge they gained.
Thank you once again for your time, effort, and commitment to empowering our students.”
Director of Co-curricular & Outreach, St Mary’s School
self defence CLASS FORMATS
1. In-person self defence classes
Teaching in-person offers a more interactive and engaged way of learning and we believe students benefit most from a face-to-face workshop.
The majority of the course is information and education, with demonstrations and videos.
There is also time for the students to practice the physical responses with our instructors if they want to (but this is not necessary and we find that many choose just to watch).
The minimum course duration is 60 minutes, our standard self defence workshop is 3.5 hours.
We can deliver multiple sessions in one day to maximise your budget and for ease of scheduling with your timetable.
We will work with you to create a format that suits the age and stage of development your students are at.
Our approach is flexible and we are open to discussions to tailor our training to meet your needs.
2. Remote self defence classes
We are aware that it isn’t always possible to train in-person, so we also offer self defence classes via Zoom, Microsoft Teams or your e-learning platform.
We delivered virtual training in this way to a group of 800 students from across the world for The Delamar Academy in London.
3. Online video courses
We have an online personal safety and self defence course for college and university students - How to stay safe at university and college.
The course is self-paced and is suitable for students of any gender aged 16+
It features approx. 4.5 hours of video content for the complete guide to self defence for students
This course is available to bulk purchase for your students - get in touch by email to request a free viewing of the course and for pricing options.
Alternatively, if you would like to promote our online course to your students, please contact us for a special discount code so they can access it at a reduced rate.
And, we have online courses for women and men, which can be bulk purchased for your teaching and admin staff as part of your employee wellbeing program.
Self defence and street safety workshop at Northern Ballet School
YOUR INSTRUCTOR
The self defence class will be delivered by Dene Josham, with support from additional instructors, depending on group size.
Dene has over 10 years experience teaching self defence, 20 years experience as a bodyguard to VIPs and 30 years experience in martial arts.
Dene holds TISUK Practitioner Status and has completed their Level 5 Diploma in Trauma and Mental Health Informed Schools and Communities.
He is also Enhanced DBS Checked and has completed safeguarding, first aid and mental health first aid training.
STUDENT FEEDBACK
We love reading the evaluation forms from students after our training - here are a few:
“Guy who did it was a legend!”
“Thank you for the lesson, it was better than physics!”
“Well done. So cool.”
“Amazeballs (it was interesting). Lush.”
“Ace.”
“Loved it!”
“Great talk. Legend.”
WOULD YOU LIKE A VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND SELF DEFENCE WORKSHOP AT YOUR SCHOOL, COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY?
If you would like to find out more and receive a quote for a workshop at your school, just get in touch for an informal chat with Dene.
Our aim is that all students leave our course feeling empowered, confident and switched on.