Gradings

All students ultimate aim is to achieve black belt status however to get there they must progress through a system of coloured belts that indicate their level of progression towards this end goal. Each belt is referred to as a "kyu" grade starting at 9th Kyu (white belt) moving up towards 1st Kyu before sitting a Dan grade (black belt) examination. Each kyu grade has a dedicated coloured belt assigned to it and a specific syllabus that has to be learnt and performed in front of a grading panel / judge, usually your class instructor.

The syllabus for each kyu grade is detailed adjacent, however it is recognised that kids learning karate from the age of 4 years old may not fully appreciate and/or be able to demonstrate the principles of the basic moves and techniques therefore they are required to go through a system of junior grades which match the kyu grade syllabus and belt colours until they reach an equivalent 3rd kyu (brown belt) level. To encourage young members the first 2 junior coloured belts (yellow & orange) will be awarded at the discretion of the class instructor when they believe they have attained a suitable level of ability and thereby not having to perform at an official grading examination.  Once a student has reached the level of junior brown belt they will then go onto grade for their senior kyu grades from level 8 onwards. This does not mean the student will have to revert to wearing a white belt again as they will retain their brown belt already achieved but from now on will have coloured tags added to the end of the belt to indicate the kyu grade achieved.

In order to sit any grading examination a student has to hold a current association licence. Examinations are usually held once every 3 months, if a student is deemed good enough to grade for their next belt then they will be invited to the next examination which is just like any other training class but all students going for the same level will be examined together. The actual grading attracts a nominal fee that covers the hall hire, certificates & new coloured belts / tags.

Dan Gradings

Once a student achieves a level of 1st kyu they will then be specifically training to achieve a black belt. Once a black belt is achieved then this is not the end of their progression as there are 10 levels of black belt referred to as Dan grades whereby 1st Dan is the lowest level up to the top level of 10th Dan. To be eligible to progress to the next Dan level students are required to wait a minimum of years corresponding to the Dan level to be attained i.e. wait 2 years before 2nd Dan then 3 years before 3rd Dan etc.

Like kyu grades each student requires to sit a formal examination for the 1st 3 levels of Dan grade in front of a panel of 3 (minimum) 4th Dan and above examiners. Again like kyu grades their is a set syllabus that sets out the requirements however there are certain elements of the syllabus that change each calendar year. This years syllabus can be found adjacent.