Q. How and when do I pay the term fee?

A. Term fees are payable by the first lesson of the term. You can pay via the bank transfer details found on the club pages.

and should include the following reference: 

1. first 2 letters of the students first name, followed by the 

2. first 2 letters of the family name, followed by the 

3. first 2 letters of the club 

e.g. Paul Jones at Winton is PA JO WI (your reference is important so we can identify your payment).

Please make sure new students have informed us of their personal details as required for new student enrolment, information can be found by clicking on Your Club on the Clubs page.

Q. Why do we need a licence/insurance?

A. The licence/insurance is required for all students doing martial arts, no matter their age. The annual price is £36 per student and as a professional organisation, we are governed by Sport England. Students will receive an email when it is due and we ask that students/parents renew this as soon as they receive it. Due to insurance restrictions, we are not allowed to teach unlicensed students.

Q. How do we pay the licence/insurance?

• Mr I F Smith

• Sort Code: 09-01-28

• Account: 40264133 

and should include the following reference:

1. the student's first name followed by the

2. the initial of the family name followed by the

3. the first 3 letters of the club/school

e.g. John Stevens at Park School is JOHN S PAR (your reference is important so we can identify your payment).

Please make sure new students have informed us of their personal details as required for new student enrolment by filling out the Term and Licence/Insurance forms on the Clubs page.

All the payment details and requested student information is on the Licence/Insurance Form which can be downloaded from the Clubs page.

Q. Why are there two bank accounts when I pay fees?

A. The day to day running of the classes is done by local teachers and admin, so the term fee needs to be paid into an account to cover those costs. Whereas the annual insurance, kit orders and gradings are handled by head office, and they have an account for those fees. Please would you check you're paying into the correct account before you make payments. The correct account is clearly marked next to any payment information.

Q. What shall I wear to the first lesson if I don't have a uniform?

A. Wear something comfortable or sporty, like training/jogging trousers or shorts and a tee-shirt. We train barefoot so no need to worry about shoes. 

Q. Do I need to get a uniform and mitts?

A. Yes, we ask students who continue to train with us to wear the club uniform during their first term. When students put on a uniform (especially children), they feel they are part of the club and have a sense of belonging. We often see improvements in their training and their attitude in class. It's no different from belonging to a football team, everyone wears the same. Mitts are essential because they protect their hands and anyone they pair up with.

Q. How do we get the uniform and mitts?

A. Once you have been training with us for a few weeks you will need to order our logo embroidered uniforms and a pair of mitts. Please order now by clicking on the Uniforms & Kit page.

Q. Can parents stay in class and watch?

A. I'm sorry but we don't allow parents to watch the classes. The main reason is that the children need to develop their confidence individually, especially when working with other children in partner work. If they feel unsure of themselves the teachers help, but if their parents are in the room the children will look to them for support, and more often, sympathy. We want the children to grow and become confident by themselves. The only time we allow parents in the class is at the very end of the grading lesson when the parents can watch their children receive their new belts. Even then, we ask the children to look toward the instructor, not their parents, until the ceremony is over. Discipline and Respect are very important parts of martial arts and are at the core of its teaching.

Q. What time should I get to class?

A. Please arrive in class in enough time to change and be ready to begin training at the start time.

Q. Can I have a trial lesson?

A. Some children take to karate right away, and some feel a little uncomfortable with new activities and new teachers, and they take a while to settle. Most of the children who come to us have never done karate before, and karate is about building confidence and learning to respect their fellow practitioners. Getting their uniform, taking their first grading, getting their first karate belt, and mixing with the other students are all the things that will help them grow in confidence, and in learning new skills they feel part of the club. All our young Black Belts write about how nervous they felt when they first started and how they began to enjoy karate more and more after their first grading. One trial lesson is not enough to establish any of the above, but giving a healthy period of time, like a term, allows us to build a rapport and develop their skills and confidence. 

Q. What if a student wishes to leave during the term?

If a students wishes to discontinue classes a half terms notice or a half terms fee is payable.

Q. How do we grade and move up levels?

A. We do three gradings a year, each near the end of each term. Click on the Grading page for information.