Split Banana delivers Relationship, Sex and Health Education in three ways: by running creative RSHE workshops with young people, by training educators and by consulting with schools and community organisations on their RSHE provision.
Why do we exist?
We exist to show you that great RSHE can be transformative and inspiring.
This includes: learning what we want from relationships, recognising what makes us feel comfortable and uncomfortable in romantic and sexual situations, understanding that porn is not a realistic representation of sex, celebrating differing bodies, sexualities and perspectives and caring for our bodies and minds better.
Young people who are given the space to understand these things are more likely to become compassionate, respectful, healthier and happier members of our society.
The problem
For too long, RSHE in the UK has failed our young people. Check out our stories for some real shocks and laughs. Although the curriculum has finally had an update - the first in 20 years - we don't think this goes far enough.
Without access to open and non-judgemental RSHE, young people are more likely to have sexual experiences that are detrimental to their sexual health - both physically and emotionally. The fall out from these experiences can echo throughout an individual’s life. From experiencing sexual violence, poor mental health, body dysmorphia - the list goes on.
It is those who are already marginalised that are most affected. The LGBTQIA+ community experiences a disproportionate amount of mental health issues, violence and higher death rates. Trans people remain underrepresented, as are intersex folk. Sexual health services continue fail to fail black communities in the UK. Disabled young people are desexualised and their sex education de-prioritised.
Representations of bodies which are white, non-disabled, heteronormative and slim continue to dominate in all sex education topics, but especially in conversations around body image, gender and romantic / sexual attraction.
This has to change
Everyone has the right to an RSHE that reflects themselves and the society they live in, so that they have the best chance of happy, safe relationships.
We represent and celebrate different bodies, sexualities, identities, relationships and experiences in our teaching. We listen to what young people need and empower them to recognise and challenge damaging behaviours. We collaborate with other mission-aligned organisations to strengthen our work.
We train educators to do the same and provide inclusive resources to use directly in the classroom.
By placing empathy and activism at the heart of our approach we are working towards more equal relationships filled with consent, respect and pleasure throughout society.
Our impact
23,800 +
Young people have had Split Banana RSHE
850 +
Educators have had Split Banana RSHE training
85% of students rated themselves either ‘confident’ or ‘expert’ at feeling empowered to make change.
All students reported their reflection, expression, communication and listening skills had improved.
93% of students thought that every young person should go through the Split Banana programme.
86% of students reported that their awareness of sexual health services had increased.
What’s Your Sex-Ed Story?
Our Partners
Schools We've Worked With
Kingsdale Foundation | Nishkam School West London | Ark Globe Academy | Winchester College | Cloughside School | UCL Academy | Godalming College | Carshalton High School for Girls | Stoke Newington School | Rodillian Academy | Rushcliffe School | St Bede’s Catholic College | Laureate Academy | North Oxfordshire Academy | Beaconsfield High School | Belvedere Academy | Bohunt College | Skinner’s Academy | Lister School | Clapton Girl’s Academy | Lockers Park School | West Oaks SEN College | St Thomas More Catholic School | Oakham School | St Gregory’s Bath | New Hall School | UTC Leeds | Rodillian Academy | The London Screen Academy | Rushcliffe School | Carlton Academy | Lingfield College | Latymer School | Woking College | Mandeville School | Wallington High School | Edmonton County School | West Hatch High School | Eaton Square Senior School