Courses for Schools and Universities
Empowerment Through Preparedness: School and University Empowerment Courses from Absolute Defence
In today’s educational landscape, ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff is paramount. Recent statistics and incidents across the UK highlight the urgent need for comprehensive self-protection training within schools and universities. At Absolute Defence, we are committed to equipping educational communities with the skills and confidence to effectively navigate and mitigate these challenges.
The Current Landscape: A Call to Action
Alarmingly, only two in five children in England report always feeling safe at school. This sentiment is echoed in higher education, where a mere 30.8% of university students believe that campus security staff effectively ensure their safety. Such statistics reveal a significant gap in perceived safety, which can profoundly impact the learning environment and overall well-being.
The rise in violent incidents further exacerbates these concerns. Scottish schools have witnessed an ‘exponential increase’ in pupil violence, with 44% of teachers experiencing physical abuse in the past year. Universities are not immune; reports of sexual misconduct are distressingly common, with 42% of students acknowledging that such behaviours have become normalised on campuses.
Moreover, domestic abuse affects over 185,000 university staff and students annually in the UK, yet only 1.5% of universities have specific policies addressing this issue. This lack of institutional support leaves many victims without adequate resources or guidance.
Absolute Defence: Proactive Solutions for a Safer Educational Environment
At Absolute Defence, we believe that empowerment through education is the key to fostering safer schools and universities. Our tailored courses are designed to address the unique challenges faced by educational institutions, providing both students and staff with the tools they need to enhance performance, personal safety and resilience.
Key Components of Our Courses:
Conflict Resolution and De-escalation:
- Effective Communication Skills: Training focuses on verbal and non-verbal techniques to defuse tensions before they escalate.
- Emotional Intelligence Development: Understanding and managing emotions play a crucial role in resolving conflicts amicably.
Awareness and Prevention of Sexual Misconduct:
- Educational Workshops: We provide comprehensive sessions that define consent, identify inappropriate behaviours, and promote a culture of respect.
- Support Systems Navigation: Guidance on accessing and utilizing available resources ensures that victims receive the support they need.
Personal Safety and Self-Defence Training:
- Empowerment Through Knowledge: Participants learn to recognise potential threats and employ effective strategies to avoid or de-escalate dangerous situations.
- Practical Self-Defence Techniques: Our hands-on approach ensures that individuals can confidently protect themselves if necessary.
Emergency Preparedness and Response:
- Scenario-Based Drills: Participants engage in realistic simulations, enhancing their readiness for various emergency situations.
- Collaborative Planning: We work alongside institutions to develop and refine emergency response plans tailored to their specific needs.
The Impact of Our Training:
Implementing Absolute Defence’s courses leads to tangible benefits:
- Enhanced Confidence: Equipped with practical skills, students and staff feel more secure and self-assured in their daily interactions.
- Increased Performance: Students, pupils and staff perform better when not distracted by fear and anxiety.
- Improved Campus Culture: A focus on respect and safety fosters a more inclusive and supportive educational environment.
- Proactive Risk Management: Institutions can better identify and address potential threats, reducing the likelihood of incidents.
A Collaborative Approach
We recognise that each educational institution has its own unique culture and challenges. Therefore, we collaborate closely with schools and universities to customise our programs, ensuring they align with specific needs and objectives. This partnership approach guarantees that our training is relevant, effective, and seamlessly integrated into existing frameworks.
Continual Training is Essential
Security is not a one-time investment—it requires ongoing development to keep up with evolving threats. Studies show that regular refresher courses improve reaction times by up to 40% in high-stress situations.
- Threat Landscapes Change: New security threats emerge constantly, requiring up-to-date knowledge.
- Muscle Memory & Response Time: Repeated drills enhance the ability to react instinctively during crises.
- Team Cohesion & Preparedness: Frequent training builds confidence and coordination among personnel.
It is recommended that students, pupils and staff attend courses at least once per year or twice for maximum efficacy. Each course has tailored delivery options.
An indicative progression could be:
- Course 1 – Exciting, engaging and vital training that gives students, pupils and staff a refreshing new perspective and addresses key initial concerns.
- Course 2 – Progressive and focussed courses that build on the skills of the first course revitalising the original concepts and developing new ones that foster deeper resilience and higher performance.
- Course 3 onwards – Skills maintenance and enhanced support to address any ongoing issues.
Join the Movement Towards Safer Educational Spaces
The safety of our educational communities is a collective responsibility. By choosing Absolute Defence, institutions take a proactive stance in safeguarding their members. Together, we can transform concerns into confidence, creating environments where learning and growth flourish unimpeded by fear and anxiety.
Take the Next Step
Empower your students and staff with the skills they need to navigate today’s challenges safely. Contact Absolute Defence today to discuss how our bespoke courses can benefit your institution. Together, let’s build a foundation of resilience, respect, and unwavering safety in our schools and universities.
Join the Movement Towards Safer Educational Spaces
The safety of our educational communities is a collective responsibility. By choosing Absolute Defence, institutions take a proactive stance in safeguarding their members. Together, we can transform concerns into confidence, creating environments where learning and growth flourish unimpeded by fear and anxiety.
Take the Next Step
Empower your students and staff with the skills they need to navigate today’s challenges safely. Contact Absolute Defence today to discuss how our bespoke courses can benefit your institution. Together, let’s build a foundation of resilience, respect, and unwavering safety in our schools and universities.
