Revolutionizing Sex Education: Meet Anna Alexander, Co-Founder of Split Banana

Did you know that positive sex education could help create better citizens?

In 2022, a study conducted by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs examined the importance of sexuality education as an integral part of sexual and reproductive health, as well as the rights of children and young people in the European Union. The study highlighted its effectiveness in promoting gender equality, preventing gender-based violence and improving the health and well-being of young people. Evidence shows that when we provide adolescents and young adults with the tools to explore sexuality away from screens, we create an environment that is conducive to informed decision-making. This helps develop their emotional intelligence, self-confidence, empathy and open-mindedness, while reducing taboos and harmful prejudices.

This is precisely the mission of Split Banana, a social enterprise revolutionizing education on social relationships, sexuality and health (ERSS) through creative workshops, training of educators and collaborating with schools.

Founded by Anna Alexander and Matilda Lawrence-Jubb , two women who themselves saw a lack of adequate education on these topics during their own educational journeys, Split Banana set out to fill this gap.

With a background in film, social and professional integration, Anna was awarded the prestigious Shackleton Leadership Award* in 2020 for her work with Split Banana . She currently divides her time between her role as a Religious Studies teacher and her responsibilities as Head of PHSE** at a school in East London.

We had the opportunity to chat with her about her work with Split Banana and the importance of positive sex education based on an inclusive and respectful approach.

You founded Split Banana based on your own personal experiences – how old were you at the time, and were you already an educator? How did these experiences specifically shape your mission?

Like most Britons, my sexual education was virtually non-existent. At the time, my teacher was too embarrassed to discuss it, so we had a whole term devoted to rail safety. Growing up in a society that didn’t provide guidance on topics like consent, sexuality and body image had a profound impact on me and everyone around me.

My co-founder Matilda and I met on a postgraduate social innovation programme called ‘Year Here’ when we were 23. We had both worked in education and when we returned to the classroom we were shocked to see how little progress had been made in sex education. Schools were still lacking positive education about relationships, sexuality and health. We used our professional experiences to imagine the health and sexuality education we wished we had: one that helped young people build fulfilling relationships with their minds, bodies and each other.

What gaps did you identify in the (British) curriculum at the time and do you think there has been any progress since then?

When we returned to the classroom, it wasn’t just the lack of a positive curriculum that was deeply concerning, but the behaviour of students. For example, hearing anti-LGBTQIA+ language in classrooms, witnessing worrying conversations about consent among Year 12 students and seeing the growing impact of technology with revenge porn. Sex Education became mandatory in the UK in 2019. Until then, it was up to the school to decide how to approach this very important topic. Schools are already juggling a busy curriculum and without examples of good practice, it can be difficult to know where to start.

However, we believe that significant progress has been made in making this education mandatory for all students. As a society, we are approaching conversations about gender and consent in a much more nuanced way. The world that young people are growing up in is changing so rapidly that we often find that an openness to learning is essential to improving the implementation of CSR. We still have a long way to go, but we must celebrate the progress we have made and continue on this path of open and inclusive education. What really continues to encourage us is the incredible teachers and educators who are committed to improving this sex education.

How does Split Banana training work and what unique elements have you incorporated into your programs?

We offer workshops for youth and training for educators. Our approach is characterized by creating safe, caring and non-judgmental spaces from the start. We focus on inclusion, taking a progressive approach and giving voice to people who are often marginalized. Our “What I Wish I Knew” co-design workshops ensure that our curriculum represents diverse life experiences and challenges dominant social narratives. We reflect on how issues related to sex education affect us, others and society as a whole. This reflection aims to empower individuals and develop better social and emotional skills, in the hope of building a more equitable and harmonious society.

Split Banana's approach is also creative and interactive: all our programs incorporate activities such as games, drawing and group activities.

What are the key themes covered in Split Banana’s programs, and why are they important for young people?

All of our programs are age-differentiated to ensure participants learn the right information for their age and stage of development. Topics we cover in our workshops include mental health and wellbeing, gender, internet safety, body image, intimate relationships, pornography, consent and boundaries, sexual health, contraception and STIs, and emotional independence.

What impacts have you observed since the introduction of your programs?

To date, we have worked with over 23,000 young people across the UK and trained nearly 1,100 educators. The feedback we receive consistently highlights how our work gives people the confidence to talk about sexuality and intimate relationships in everyday life. One young participant recently said that our workshop “covers topics that everyone is afraid to bring up”, while another highlighted that we “cover topics that young people previously felt too embarrassed to ask about”.
We have also observed this through our training programs: adults feel more confident in answering students' questions and are able to give them more appropriate answers.

Another key aspect for us is diversity and inclusivity. As debates around LGBTQIA+ education and gender identity shake governments, it is crucial to highlight the gratitude and satisfaction expressed by young people who finally see themselves represented. Recently, we received a poignant testimony from a young queer who confided in us that he had struggled to find his way in traditional sex education, and that one of our workshops had greatly helped him.

Providing an education that fully integrates each person's individual experience is essential if we aspire to build a society based on empathy and respect.

In your opinion, what role should the school system and educators play in addressing issues such as sexual health, inclusion, consent, body positivity, empathy, LGBTQ+ inclusivity and diversity?

Every day, educators, health professionals, and parents answer questions about these topics. They make decisions on behalf of young people and provide advice. Training these adults to be confident and comfortable in discussing these topics has a huge impact: it provides each young person with a safe, non-judgmental space to find answers to these questions. Quality sexuality education acts as a preventative measure against negative experiences ranging from body dysmorphia to sexual violence.

One of the biggest fears is introducing topics too early that young people aren’t ready for. This fuels the tendency to avoid questions or conversations, especially about gender and sexuality. We provide resources and a space for dialogue to ensure that everyone is able to receive the information they need to live better.

Finally, do you have any advice to share with educators and parents who don’t know where to start to better educate young people about sexuality, health and intimate relationships?

First of all, congratulations! Sex and relationship education can be intimidating, but being willing to educate yourself and improve yourself is a great first step.

Start by thinking about your beliefs and values.

Be open to learning: adopt a mindset of personal growth and development.

Finally, be open to two-way learning! Whether you are a caregiver or an educator, we are all constantly evolving. Learning together fosters an environment conducive to inclusive and caring education.

www.splitbanana.co.uk

*The Shackleton Leadership Award is a prestigious honour given to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in difficult or complex situations. The award is named after Sir Ernest Shackleton, a British explorer renowned for his leadership of the Endurance Expedition to Antarctica in the early 20th century. Shackleton Leadership Award recipients are widely recognised for their ability to inspire and motivate others, demonstrate resilience and determination in the face of adversity, and make informed decisions in extreme circumstances. Receiving the award is often seen as a testament to excellence in leadership and commitment to achieving ambitious goals under difficult conditions.

 

**PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) is an educational programme in the United Kingdom designed to provide students with a comprehensive education on topics such as personal and social health, emotional well-being, sexual health, financial skills, interpersonal relationships, citizenship and other aspects related to personal development. This education aims to help young people acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to make informed and responsible decisions in their daily lives and to contribute to society in a positive way.