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'Every girl should learn self-defence at school'

BBC Lily-Kim stands in a school gym beside climbing bars coloured red, blue and yellow. She has long light-brown hair, tied in a plait, and wears an aquamarine polo shirt and a black pullover. BBC
Lily-Kim says she lacked confidence when walking to and from school

"I feel a lot more confident walking home tonight," says Lily-Kim, 15. "And it shouldn’t be just me, but every girl should feel like that.”

The teenager from Hull is speaking after completing a self-defence class arranged at her school.

"Now I know if someone is walking up behind me I can look out for any threat," she adds. "If someone does come near me, I know how to defend myself."

Figures by the National Police Chiefs’ Council show there has been a near 40% rise in violent crimes against women and girls over the past five years.

Last year alone, more than a million crimes relating to violence against women and girls were recorded in England and Wales, according to figures published by the organisation in July.

It is one of the reasons why Lily-Kim and her classmates at Kelvin Hall School are calling for self-defence to be taught as part of the national curriculum, like swimming.

The government says schools have the flexibility to decide what is right for pupils.

Matilda, a 15-year-old girl, looks into the camera as she stands in a white-walled school gym in front of classmates. She has long, light-brown hair and wears an aquamarine T-shirt.
Matilda took part in the Krav Maga self-defence class

Matilda, 15, who also took part in the classes, says: “There’s a lot of crime revolving around women, so being taught the skills is important for everyday life.

"I think it’s more important than some skills like swimming, because some people never go swimming in their life, but most people walk out on the streets and there’s more chance of being attacked than drowning, I’d say.”

Hannah, also 15, adds: “As women, we are only really told to avoid going out at night, whereas I think we should be told how to defend ourselves.

"I think this should be taught in schools, because now I feel a lot more confident.”

Orjan Pettersen, an instructor at Spartans Academy of Krav Maga, who led the session at Kelvin Hall, believes self-defence classes offer more than just physical skills.

"It also brings psychological and confidence skills and improves self-esteem, knowing that you have the ability to defend yourself and keep yourself safe," he says.

Two Krav Maga tutors face one another with arms outstretched and hands touching as they demonstrate a self-defence technique. Both men have shaven heads and wear black and red tracksuits. They are watched by about 15 teenage girls wearing aquamarine tops and black leggings.
Orjan Pettersen, left, demonstrates one of the defensive techniques with chief nstructor Gheorghe Husar, right, who led the session

Rachel Hilton is the assistant head teacher at Kelvin Hall and has two young daughters. She believes self-defence lessons should be taught in PE.

“We would absolutely love to see this as part of the school curriculum for all young girls to be able to participate in," she says.

"We want to help create a society where women feel safe, where women are empowered and where men also take responsibility in ensuring that women are safe in a public space.

"The female self-defence class fits really importantly within that theme.

"This should be rolled out and it should be something which the government can focus on.”

Hannah, a 15-year-old girl, stands in a white-walled school gym and looks into the camera. She has long black hair and is wearing an aquamarine T-shirt and large, black-rimmed glasses.
Hannah says her confidence has improved after attending the class

At present, schools such as Kelvin Hall would have to find funding to run regular self-defence classes.

Those who do choose to run classes are advised to check instructors are properly qualified and to consider the age and maturity of participants to ensure they understand the techniques should only be used as a last resort.

When asked if it would consider making self-defence classes part of the curriculum, the Department for Education (DfE) said schools had the flexibility to decide what physical activities or sports they taught in PE.

A spokesperson said: “High and rising standards are at the heart of this government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity, and a cutting-edge curriculum is central to this.

"Schools have the flexibility to decide what is right for their pupils, including what physical activities or sports they use to teach the PE curriculum.”

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