After lockdown Challenge Team has continued to visit schools in 22-3 and 23-4. Please get in touch if you would like to make a booking for Spring 2026.

2019-2026

In December 2019 Challenge Team visited Malta and made presentations in 11 schools with excellent feedback. In Spring 2020 a Team began touring schools in the UK visiting just 15 schools in the UK before lockdown when the tour was cut short. Since then, periods of lockdown and uncertainty have prevented longer tours being planned. However, school visits are now taking place according to school timetables and invitations. We also visit youth groups. We are taking bookings now for Spring 2026. Contact us with your requests for a presentation.

2018-2019

During 2018-2019 a further week was spent in Malta where we spoke at 15 schools followed by a tour to 16 schools and three youth groups in the UK.
We received excellent responses from staff and pupils.

Pupils aged 14 wrote:
No-one has to be peer pressured into having sex, and should know that it is their choice to have it or not and that no-one can change that.
Challenge Team explained the reasons clearly, which makes students understand a lot more. Good presentation. Entertaining and funny.
Because everyone deserves a chance to know that ‘no’ is an answer and it’s fine to say ‘no’.
It is very educational and I think that the point/reasons for the presentation should be spread. Well done for a fabulous presentation and I hope that you will do well in the future.
Pupils in Malta, aged 15 wrote:
It was a life-changing experience that we should all take action about. I really liked the presentation.
I think it is a topic more people of our age need to know. It was very interesting and gave me hope for future love.
A presentation that will surely stay in my mind, and hopefully others’…
I personally felt this presentation was a real eye-opener. Great talk. Top.
It does make sense and it is suitable for everyone. Excellent marks for the presentation.

2017-2018

During 2017-2018 Challenge Team visited 38 schools and three youth groups speaking to another 7,400 young people.

Challenge Team was invited to visit schools in Malta during the year and spent a successful week visiting nine schools and one youth group.
Feedback was consistently good.
At three schools and in a studio setting during this tour video footage of the team in action was taken and a quality dvd of the presentation was ready for sale by the end of the year. The dvd has a choice of two presentations, one in schools and one in a studio.

2016-2017

In 2016 to 2017 two new teams of young adults were recruited and trained. 40 schools and four youth groups were visited in November 2016 and February and March 2017. 7214 pupils watched the presentation. The total number of young people who have heard a presentation since 2004 is 147,114. The number of young presenters who have taken part since the launch is 81.

Touring costs are reduced by using volunteer drivers and host families en route between schools.
A total of twelve hosts and ten drivers made a massive contribution and got a real thumbs up from the Team members who reported: I enjoyed every single host that put us up. The hospitality was second to none. They really took care of us.

The response from schools again this year, several of whom were new to us, was, as always, extremely positive. From many similar examples, a teacher wrote: It was a very good presentation – informative, fun, interactive and engaging. There was an excellent balance between getting the message across and at the same time ensuring that the pupils were not being patronised. The presenters complimented each other well and the variety of the presentation was spot on.

Pupils wrote:
It answered a lot of our questions
It gives you a choice
It was a great performance which gave a lot of good reasons to save sex
It is educational and teaches you about stuff you wouldn’t usually learn
It makes you think about your life. Really good and will make a big impact
It teaches students they can say no if they want to
It gave good information and helped me to see in a new light
It was informative, interesting and not a long boring talk
It allows students to re-evaluate there (sic) options and let them see a point of view never spoken about in mainstream media
It gave me another option in life I have never thought of before. Ten out of ten
It opens up options that I previously didn’t know about.

Visiting schools with Challenge Team and speaking to so many pupils always has a positive impact on Team members. They commented:
The tour was eye-opening and inspirational. I enjoyed every single part of it. I woke up on every day of the tour thinking – I have another opportunity to impact a child positively. I must do better than yesterday.

It has opened my eyes to many areas where I could be of help in due time, and giving me better understanding of society and things I have always only understood in theory and not practically. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything else.

I enjoyed the overall experience. I wasn’t expecting to learn so much while involved. It was great. And what made me happy were the responses of the students. We helped to reassure them that people like us still exist. I learned new things every day. I have benefitted a lot.

It has reassured me on why I’ve chosen to save sex for marriage. It’s made me more confident as an individual. I’ve met some wonderful people while being on tour. It was hard work but extremely rewarding.

2016-2017

In 2016 to 2017 two new teams of young adults were recruited and trained. 40 schools and four youth groups were visited in November 2016 and February and March 2017. 7214 pupils watched the presentation. The total number of young people who have heard a presentation since 2004 is 147,114. The number of young presenters who have taken part since the launch is 81.

Touring costs are reduced by using volunteer drivers and host families en route between schools.
A total of twelve hosts and ten drivers made a massive contribution and got a real thumbs up from the Team members who reported: I enjoyed every single host that put us up. The hospitality was second to none. They really took care of us.

The response from schools again this year, several of whom were new to us, was, as always, extremely positive. From many similar examples, a teacher wrote: It was a very good presentation – informative, fun, interactive and engaging. There was an excellent balance between getting the message across and at the same time ensuring that the pupils were not being patronised. The presenters complimented each other well and the variety of the presentation was spot on.

Pupils wrote:
It answered a lot of our questions
It gives you a choice
It was a great performance which gave a lot of good reasons to save sex
It is educational and teaches you about stuff you wouldn’t usually learn
It makes you think about your life. Really good and will make a big impact
It teaches students they can say no if they want to
It gave good information and helped me to see in a new light
It was informative, interesting and not a long boring talk
It allows students to re-evaluate there (sic) options and let them see a point of view never spoken about in mainstream media
It gave me another option in life I have never thought of before. Ten out of ten
It opens up options that I previously didn’t know about.

Visiting schools with Challenge Team and speaking to so many pupils always has a positive impact on Team members. They commented:
The tour was eye-opening and inspirational. I enjoyed every single part of it. I woke up on every day of the tour thinking – I have another opportunity to impact a child positively. I must do better than yesterday.

It has opened my eyes to many areas where I could be of help in due time, and giving me better understanding of society and things I have always only understood in theory and not practically. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything else.

I enjoyed the overall experience. I wasn’t expecting to learn so much while involved. It was great. And what made me happy were the responses of the students. We helped to reassure them that people like us still exist. I learned new things every day. I have benefitted a lot.

It has reassured me on why I’ve chosen to save sex for marriage. It’s made me more confident as an individual. I’ve met some wonderful people while being on tour. It was hard work but extremely rewarding.

2015-2016

Four talented young adults formed a team this academic year. They toured the country for eight weeks during November, February and March, visiting 36 schools and six youth group. In the autumn the Team toured the west country, and in the spring term they visited the Midlands, the South Coast, London and the North West. They spoke to 7689 pupils.

The presenters were incredibly well-received. Praise for the contents and delivery exceeded even those in previous years.

Pupils at a school in Surrey returned feedback forms after watching the presentation in February. Pupils wrote:
It was helpful and educational
It makes you think about the consequences
The presentation taught me that sex has a value
All schools should see a presentation because I know many teens want to have it to get it over with
It is important to remember you are valuable and should save yourself for someone who really loves you
The presentation was brilliant and really supported my decision to save myself for marriage
It was helpful and in the presentation they said things that people did not know already
It was very useful information and the role plays made it more understanding
It gave me good reasons to why I should save sex
Of the 149 pupils 142 thought that every school should see a presentation. 16 had already decided to save sex for marriage. 47 said it would make a difference to the choices they made in the future.
A teacher wrote: You pitched it exactly right and our students really respected you. There was an open and honest atmosphere and the message was loud and clear.
Pupils wrote: It made me think twice about saving sex til marriage. Thank you.
It was very informative and humorous at the same time. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
I didn’t have a clue about saving sex, but it is a good idea. Now that I know about it others should learn about it too.

A 14 year old girl who admitted to being pressured to have sex, and who also said she hoped to be married in the future, said the presentation she saw would make a difference and she would consider saving sex for marriage.

Challenge Team has an impact on the young presenters. One said: It’s been such an amazing experience to travel across the country with a bunch of awesome people. If anyone is interested in doing it next year I highly recommend it.
Challenge Teams have toured each year since 2004 and spoken to almost 140,000 pupils in that time. Seventy eight young presenters have been trained.

2014-2015

Four talented young adults formed a team this academic year. They toured the country for eight weeks during November, February and March, visiting 30 schools and one youth group. In the autumn the Team toured the west country, and in the spring term they visited the Midlands, the south-coast, London and the north-west. They spoke to 5324 pupils.
The presentation was incredibly well-received. Praise for its contents and delivery exceeded even those in previous years.

Pupil feedback included:

It was helpful and educational
It makes you think about the consequences
The presentation taught me that sex has a value
All schools should see a presentation because I know many teens want to have it to get it over with
It is important to remember you are valuable and should save yourself for someone who really loves you
An organiser at one school summed up lots of feedback we received by saying: ‘The three young people who delivered the sessions to our students were well prepared, well informed and really professional. Their style of delivery was perfectly pitched at the correct level and the students really responded to them. The interactive style they used to deliver the information created a relaxed and positive atmosphere which enabled the students to respond appropriately and to learn about the topic. All of the staff members, including the senior team, commented on what a brilliant session they delivered. Thank you so much from all the students and staff.’

Huge thanks are due to the sixteen kind hosts and twelve drivers who helped look after the Team during the tour. One of our young presenters wrote: ‘I feel it has really boosted my confidence and it’s been good to travel, meet new people and inspire young people.’

2013

Spring Tour 2013

Challenge team worked in partnership with Oddments Theatre Company who visited 13 schools in the south, our own team visited 17 schools in the Midlands. Altogether we spoke to 4931 pupils.

Feedback:
A teacher in Nuneaton reported
‘Informative in an entertaining manner on a subject that many students have felt embarrassed by. Good interaction between audience and team. Pleased that the team visited each classroom after the presentation to talk to individuals and small groups. The student response was positive and they felt at ease with the subject matter because of the fun way in which it was presented. Yes, please, a return visit in 2014.

Pupils said:
‘Hi, I’m a pupil from Leicestershire I thought your assembly was amazing it was so informative and it made me take into account of everything …’
‘It really helps you with your future’
‘everyone should know these things’
‘It was entertaining’
‘It does make you think’
‘Everyone needs to see the presentation’
‘YOLO’
‘It made me think’
‘It was different to the views we get in the media about sex’
‘It made me feel better about speaking up about my own views of sex before marriage’
I’m a pupil from Didcot. Your presentation was amazing …’

2012

During the Autumn term 2012 Challenge Team partnered with Rise Theatre Company who visited seven schools in Greater London and the south of England. Three volunteers from Manchester formed another team and visited eight schools in the north-west. Between them they spoke to 3000 pupils. This brings the total number of young people who have heard a presentation since 2004 to nearly 120,000 and the number of young presenters we have trained to 69.

Feedback was extremely positive as always:
A PHSE Co-ordinator said: ‘Great. Have had the team in a number of times and I am always impressed about how they make such a sensitive subject accessible to teenagers. The pupils laughed at the right points and were equally restrained when needed when more serious topics were discussed.’

A teacher from another school said: ‘I thought that the presentation was very engaging and professionally delivered. The actors were honest and frank and knew how to challenge the students about their most basic assumptions and prejudices concerning sexual activity, pornography and emotional involvement.’
Some Year 9 boys said: ‘The drama really brought the issue to life.’
‘It reminded me that you need to think before you act’.
‘It was actually funny, informative and exciting. It taught us about a lot of things in a way that we could relate to.’

2011

During the Spring term of 2011 we visited 38 schools and 8 youth groups in Sussex, Surrey, Hants,  London and the Midlands. Our four volunteers performed more 65 presentations to over 6,700 teenagers over a period of 7 weeks. We’ve received very positive feedback from teachers a pupils alike; one teacher said:” Very engaging and informative. The drama skits, games and questions made it interactive. There was a lot of talking but mostly all of the students were able to stay with it all the way through. It was good that it was so blatant and honest as talking about sex with teenagers can get so wishy washy if the person doing it is embarrassed in any way. Students didn’t really know what they were coming to so I think it surprised them in a good way. They appreciated the honesty and the humour. I think the posters are well designed and remind students of the message of the presentation. A couple will be displayed in the chaplaincy and possibly in the citizenship classrooms.” And a youthworker commented: ” Excellent. Probably the best we’ve had so far. Well done to the Team – and thank you”
We also received positive feedback from pupils:

– It is a good way to get the ‘save sex for marriage’ statement across and the little activities made it fun and made people listen

– Thanks for the talk today you reallu taught me alot you made a great presentation x

–  Thanks 😀 I would like to thank you for our inspirational talk. It will certainly be remembered (: x
– it was good me and my mates loved it

Two teams toured for 7 weeks and visited 20 schools, 5 of which were new, performing 30 presentations to over 3500 pupils. They visited Wigan, Birmingham, Cheshire, Warrington and Manchester during October and Plymouth, Bath, Bournemouth, Leweston, Weymouth and Shaftesbury during November.
The Manchester team was a mix of new and repeat volunteers, Rachel, Martin, Josh and Becky. For the second part of the tour we partnered with the Oddments Theatre Company, based in Yeovil, and Michael, Elena, Liz, Saz, Emma and Charis toured with us.
Feedback has been very positive so far with teachers saying:

– The presentations went down really well as in previous years

– The presentation was both informative and enjoyable.

– The subject was tackled accurately and fairly without prejudice

– Feedback from pupils was 100% positive. They took on board the issues raised and we will definitely be booking you again

And pupils commenting:

– [We] loved you guys, you made it very interesting and fun!

– Thank you for the talk it was fun and sensible, really made a difference. I will be saving sex for marriage

– It was amazing, I wish I kept my virginity longer.

2010

In Spring 2010 a team of four toured for 9 weeks, visiting 34 schools and 6 youth groups in East Sussex, Hants, the Isle of Wight, Birmingham, Nottingham, St Neots, London, Croydon and Kent. They performed 57 presentations to over 6000 teenagers. Seven of the schools were first-time bookings.   Feedback has been 100% positive.  One pupilwrote; “i and, its safe to say judging on the amount of facebook status’s about the talk, many others in my school enjoyed it and i thought you’d be happy to hear that some girls are thinking about not having sex til marriage. i think it is an amazing program, presented in a very effective and interesting way. thank you for re-enforcing my belief that sex should be saved for marriage” and a span>teacher said; “I thought it was excellent … it was very well put together, non judgemental and humorous. All the role plays were well presented and the “talks” were in accessible language. [the pupils] seemed to enjoy the presentation and were engaged with it. In the larger of the 2 groups I had to deal with one discipline problem but he would be a problem anywhere so that says a lot about the engagement of the students.”

During the Autumn Term of 2010 a Team toured for 7 weeks and visited 24 schools and 2 youth groups. Two of them arrived during our training week, so the preparation was short. They spoke to 4,888 pupils. This brings the total number of pupils we have spoken to since 2004 to 92,300. We have now trained 40 presenters. As ever we are very grateful to our lovely host families who help us en route. One teacher’s response was “Once again the Challenge team have been very effective. They are truly an engaging group with an important message. The pupils liked the way that the group were: young, spoke to them like adults, didn’t use kidspeak, funny, serious message but made in a fun way, gave us something to think about. I have used the follow up materials. I thought they were a great way to talk about the issue within the classroom environment.”

2009

During the Spring term a team of 2 girls and one guy visited 38 schools and 5 youth groups, presenting to 7500 pupils. They presented in East Sussex, Hants, the Isle of Wight, Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester, Cambridgeshire, London, Croydon and north Kent.

Drivers had to be found throughout. We are very grateful to twelve kind people who acted as chauffeurs. Without these and the generosity of host families who provide hospitality en route we would be unsustainable.

Our thanks go to 22 wonderful hosts who provided bed, breakfast and evening meal, some for one or two nights and others for whole weeks or weekends.

We receive constructive criticism from time to time and occasional negative feedback. However, the response is almost always incredibly positive. One teacher from a comprehensive in Gravesend wrote: ‘Very good. Engaging and interesting. The message was almost astonishing to students. Abstention?! Really? So it was a culture shock to our students – but a good and necessary one.’

Another teacher from a comprehensive in Heathfield wrote:‘Bring ‘em back!’During Autumn 2009 a team consisting of 4 young adults toured Manchester, the North East, Hereford, Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall over 10 weeks. They visited 32 schools and 2 youth groups, doing 47 presentations to over 5500 teenagers. 9 of the schools were new, and 100% of the of the schools who’s feedback has been received had requested return visits.

During Autumn 2009 a team consisting of 4 young adults toured Manchester, the North East, Hereford, Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall over 10 weeks. They visited 32 schools and 2 youth groups, doing 47 presentations to over 5500 teenagers. 9 of the schools were new, and 100% of the of the schools who’s feedback has been received had requested return visits.

One school Governor said: “The Challenge Team blew the dust off … by presenting “Save Sex for Marriage” with aplomb and grace, encouraging also young people to stand against peer pressure and showing them they can say “no”. What a neat solution to all the problems we face to day in the way of STD, unmarried mothers, abortion and resulting problems of infertility etc! As a Church of England school we do have a responsibility to bring these facts forth and I thank Challenge Team for their courage to go against the tide with this presentation.“

2008

Tour Report – Autumn 2008: A new Challenge Team was recruited in September ’08 and spent four weeks in Manchester, two days on the Isle of Man, three days in Scotland, one week in Bath and a final week in Devon and Dorset.

Altogether, this term the team visited a total of 33 schools and three youth groups and spoke to 7,335 pupils.

Each term we seem to receive one strong letter of objection to our message, but we also receive the most astonishing approval; One teacher said: “In 18 years this school this is the best presentation I have seen from outside speakers”; A 13/14 year old girl told the team that she deeply regretted having sex and felt ashamed. She said she was definitely ‘going to practise chastity from now on’; Another teacher said: “It was excellent. The talks went down really well with both year groups, and the Head and other senior members of staff were impressed. I shall hand your leaflets to other PSHCE co-ordinators at our meeting next week! “; Another teacher said: “I couldn’t believe it. It was so cheap.”

Once again we benefited from the hospitality of really kind hosts who helped the team as they journeyed in every way. It would be impossible for Challenge Team to continue without this support.

2007

During the 2007 Spring Term a Challenge Team consisting of four young adults completed eleven weeks of touring . They visited 58 schools and three youth groups, giving 91 presentations in total. Over 11,000 pupils witnessed a presentation. The Team visited schools in Sussex, the Isle of Wight, Notts, Derbys and Leics, Birmingham and Worcs, London and Surrey, and Bristol and Bath.

During the Autumn term of 2007 a team visited 32 schools and youth groups in Manchester & the North West, Scotland, the Isle of Man, Bath & Bristol. They performed almost 50 presentations to over 6000 teenagers.

2006

In Spring 2006 Challenge Team UK visited 44 schools and ten youth groups, making 72 presentations. In all, over 10,000 pupils witnessed a presentation. Areas of the country where schools were visited ranged from Torquay to Gravesend, including Sussex, Hants and the Isle of Wight, from outer London to Bath and Glos. and from Herefordshire, Worcs., Birmingham and Oxfordshire to Cambs., Leics., Notts. and Derby.

Summer 2006 also saw the Team make their first visit to Scotland, presenting at eight schools, where they were well received.

During Autumn in October 2006 a Team toured Manchester and the North West, where they did 38 presentations at 16 venues across a 3 week period to more than 5000 teenagers.

2000-2004

In February & March 2004 Challenge Team UK made its first tour using British volunteer presenters. A second tour was made in February & March 2005. In the autumn of 2005 a Team was resident in Manchester.
In the three years 2000 to 2002 Challenge Teams from Canada made short tours and visited schools in the UK. They received a tremendous reception from both staff and pupils.