School Training & Youth Education
What We Offer
At HERSANA, we believe that education is a powerful tool for cultural change. Our Youth Education Programme equips young people with the knowledge, confidence and tools they need to build healthy relationships, understand their rights, and challenge the root causes of gender-based violence (GBV) - including racism, sexism, misogynoir and other intersecting oppressions.
Our workshops are interactive, age-appropriate and facilitated by experienced advocates and educators with specialist knowledge of GBV and intersecting forms of harm.
Our assemblies are dynamic, age-appropriate sessions designed to engage, educate and empower students across primary and secondary schools.
Supporting young people starts at home and we’re here to help parents and carers feel informed, confident and empowered.
We equip educators, safeguarding leads and school staff with the knowledge, confidence and tools to support students affected by gender-based violence and create safer, more inclusive learning environments.
Since 2020 HERSANA has
We deliver sessions in-person and virtually across the UK and tailor each workshop to suit the needs and age group of the audience.
We work with:
- Secondary schools (KS3–KS5)
- Sixth forms & colleges
- Universities
- Youth clubs & community groups
- School staff, safeguarding leads and youth workers
Our sessions can be delivered in a range of formats to fit your setting and timetable, including evening or twilight sessions, weekend workshops and during the school day.
Sessions can be delivered as standalone workshops or embedded within a wider PSHE programme, safeguarding week or pastoral curriculum.
All sessions are age-appropriate, trauma-informed and culturally responsive. Delivery is available in person, online, or via hybrid delivery and is especially mindful of the experiences of Black and racially minoritised children and young people.
Workshops
Our workshops are interactive, age-appropriate and facilitated by experienced advocates and educators with specialist knowledge of GBV and intersecting forms of harm.
We also offer bespoke workshops for children and young people, co-designed to reflect the needs of your setting, community, and age group.
The workshops listed below are not exhaustive and can be adapted or combined to suit your requirements. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, we’re happy to work with you to design a session that meets your needs.
Assemblies
Our assemblies are dynamic, age-appropriate sessions designed to engage, educate and empower students across primary and secondary schools. We use a trauma-informed and culturally affirming approach to spark meaningful conversations about gender-based violence, healthy relationships and personal agency. Each assembly is carefully crafted to be engaging and inclusive while also centring the unique experiences of Black and marginalised youth. Assemblies can be tailored to suit your school's specific year groups and needs.
Parent Talks
Supporting young people starts at home and we’re here to help parents and carers feel informed, confident and empowered. Our Parent Talks are designed to create safe, judgement-free spaces where families can learn about the challenges young people face today and how to support them in building healthy, respectful relationships.
Teacher & Staff Training
We equip educators, safeguarding leads, and school staff with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to support students affected by gender-based violence and create safer, more inclusive learning environments.
Our training sessions are rooted in trauma-informed practice and take into account the specific needs of Black and minoritised students, with a focus on intersectionality, anti-racism and tackling misogynoir in education.
All sessions are evidence-based and adapted to your school's needs and demographic context.
- In-person training
Delivered on-site at your school, college, or youth setting. - Online live sessions
Interactive sessions delivered via video platform, suitable for staff teams across multiple sites. - Inset days / CPD sessions
Tailored sessions integrated into INSET days or professional development programmes. - Twilight training sessions
Short, focused sessions delivered after the school day, ideal for staff meetings or rolling CPD. - Half-day or full-day training
Suitable for safeguarding teams, senior leadership or whole-staff training. - Bespoke packages
Co-designed training tailored to your setting, community, safeguarding context or recent concerns.
Our school training and youth education programmes are designed for professionals and settings working with children and young people, including:
- Teachers and teaching staff
- Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs and Deputy DSLs)
- Pastoral, inclusion and wellbeing staff
- School leaders and senior leadership teams
- Youth workers and youth practitioners
- Mentors and learning support staff
- School-based safeguarding teams
What Our Training Covers
-
Recognising forms of gender-based violence — including (but not limited to) domestic abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation and harmful practices affecting young people.
-
Understanding intersectional impacts — the role of race, misogynoir, culture, power and bias in how students experience and disclose harm.
-
Responding to disclosures safely — trauma-informed, empathetic approaches that prioritise student wellbeing and legal safeguarding duties.
-
Supporting traumatised students — strategies for ongoing support, safeguarding considerations and referrals to appropriate services.
-
Challenging harmful beliefs and behaviours — addressing rape myths, stigma, peer culture and bystander dynamics in school and youth settings.
-
Embedding healthy relationship education — integrating consent, respect, boundaries and safety into curriculum, assemblies and pastoral practice.
-
Policy and procedure guidance — translating safeguarding policy into practice, reporting pathways, risk assessment and duty of care in education and youth settings.
-
Youth-centred and culturally responsive practice — ensuring responses respect diverse identities and reduce barriers for marginalised students
Our Impact
“I always heard people talk about rape or harassment but no one ever explained the other kinds of abuse...the things that were happening at home that I didn’t even have words for. When HERSANA came to our school and did the workshop, it was the first time I realised what I was going through was actually abuse. I didn’t know it counted. I didn’t know it mattered. I just thought it was ‘normal’ for my family. That session changed everything for me. Schools need to talk about all types of abuse, not just some. There are so many girls like me who won’t understand they need help until someone tells them the truth.”
Who can attend?
We offer workshops to students ages 13+. Year 8 upwards.
Where is the training held?
We come to you! We find workshops in schools, colleges and universities are best held in-person. The HERSANA Team works nationally to provide this service.
How can I access this training?
All of our training packages, workshops and consultancy offers can be booked online via our booking page. For enquiries about a bespoke training session, please email training@hersana.org.
Do you offer any consultancy services?
As specialists in violence against women and girls and the women’s rights space, we offer consultancy to organisations that want to learn about any form of gender-based violence and the ways they can join the mission to keep our physical and digital spaces safe for Black femmes. To discuss your school’s or organisation’s particular consultancy needs, please email training@hersana.org.
I can't seem to find what I am looking for. Do you offer any other training sessions?
We are continuously working to develop our training offer. If there is an aspect of gender-based violence and abuse that you are interested in receiving training on, that does not appear to be covered by our current courses, please get in touch at training@hersana.org to discuss your needs.
Do you offer bespoke training for schools, colleges and universities?
Absolutely. We offer bespoke workshop based on your organisations' needs, interests, projects and experiences. Get in touch with us at training@hersana.org to discuss bespoke workshops.
Book a Workshop or Lecture
Whether you’re a school leader, teacher, lecturer, or youth practitioner - we’d love to work with you.
To book a session or request more information.