Programmes
Success in our school requires a team effort - with the child, the instructor and the parent all contributing. Anything in life that is worthwhile will take hard work, dedication and sailing through some stormy waters. Typically, after the novelty of the first six weeks of training has faded, students experience their first dip in motivation. This commonly occurs in the sessions prior to examination where students are polishing existing skills as opposed to learning new ones. At this point, we depend greatly upon the support of the parents. Children do not have the benefit of hindsight and parents need to be positive on behalf of their children, given that they can see the long-term benefits of the programme. These periods are invariably transitory and generally ease once the student graduates to the next belt rank, and tackles the new material with renewed enthusiasm. Prior to committing to membership parents should agree to seeing their children through at least two motivation troughs, and we hope that after this, the child will have learned a broader perspective and the value of perseverance. For the class as a whole, this also ensures that once the complimentary sessions have been completed, beginners are committed to the classes and other students are not disrupted with a constant trickle of casual dabblers, absorbing instructor attention. However, parents can occasionally become too focused on progression through the belt ranks and we emphasise that the training is an end in itself, and not a race to Black Belt. Each student is undertaking an individual journey, and learning is not limited to the acquisition of stripes and belts.
Attendance
We have developed and established a learning environment based on utilitarian principles: the greatest good for the greatest number. We administer our policies rigidly and fairly – some may consider our school to be strict and we would concur with this opinion. We have learned through years of experience that strict enforcement of the system leads to cohesion and clarity. In essence, it only works with the understanding and resulting support of parents. Our attendance policy is that if students are well enough to go to school, they are well enough to come to class. This ensures consistency and progression at an individual level, but also for the group as a whole. We understand that there must be a degree of flexibility to deal with illness, holidays and the unforeseen. For this reason we specify an 80% absolute minimum attendance over any 3 month period.
Observing your child
Wherever possible we encourage parents to observe their children in class – this is particularly relevant for children up to 9 years old. Many of our best students have parents who sit and observe and make notes throughout in order to facilitate the child’s practice at home. Though we are sure that the benefits of permitting parents to watch outweigh the disadvantages, we have learned that to maintain an appropriate learning atmosphere we need to be highly specific about what is acceptable for spectators in our classroom. Please see our Spectator Charter for further details. Observing students is not possible in all venues – and we strongly recommend that if you are unable to attend classes due to other commitments, or because there is insufficient space in the venue, that you are there at the end of class to pick up any homework instructions. We are also happy to try and deal with any queries by email in order to support your home practice.
Foundation Programme: for children aged 3-6 years
Our Foundation programme fuses gymnastics, vigorous playground games and martial arts to build solid foundations for life. The classes teach a sophisticated syllabus of co-ordination skills (rope skipping, dodging, hand-eye co-ordination, balancing...) which run concurrently with academic modules such as safety school (including electricity, fire, water and dogs), character development skills (examples: making friends, communicating with confidence and good manners) and basic human biology (how the heart works, healthy eating, learning muscles and bones and the principles of exercise physiology).
The classes provide an outlet and focus for the children’s energy, whilst safely strengthening their growing bodies and most importantly, showing them that fitness is fun.
The discipline required for co-operative play is proactively encouraged, reinforced and rewarded. Clear guidelines are set with regard to safety and respectful behaviour and we expect support from parents to ensure these are adhered to.
At this age familiarity is very reassuring and therefore the class format will contain some elements which will continue and develop each week.
Some children may take several weeks to become familiar with the venue, the personality of the instructor and the format of the classes. A few tears from some children are inevitable on occasion; be sympathetic, but try not to over-react – the children will respond in kind.
Classes in:
Abingdon, Botley, Summertown, Kidlington (Vida), Kidlington (St John's).
Juniors and Cadets
Our Martial Arts classes facilitate personal development and physical skills with unlimited potential to enhance all areas of your child's life. Our classes are not simply an after school activity; our holistic approach promotes family values, a commitment to school studies and a culture of hard work and achievement. Parents have come to regard our Martial Arts classes as a positive investment in their child's future; building physical, academic and social skills. Children regard them as serious fun!
Children in this age group work towards coloured Belt gradings. The first five grades of our syllabus develop coordination, power and control, after which kickboxing is introduced into the examination material.
Many parents report that their children's concentration and discipline have improved at home and at school since commencing training.
Juniors is for children aged 6+ and Cadets for green belts and above.
Classes in:
Abingdon, Botley, Summertown, Kidlington (Vida), Kidlington (St John's).
Adult Classes
Our classes are conducted in a safe environment and a friendly atmosphere. We are dedicated to providing professional tuition without discrimination; we have a versatile approach that enables each individual to progress irrespective of their weight, shape or fitness as a beginner. In a typical class students might undertake strength and cardio training, traditional Japanese karate, raw street self defence, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or Filipino weaponry. An average British adult is spending 17 times more hours watching television than exercising. Our classes are ideal for someone disenchanted with the run-of-the-treadmill stuff on offer at local gyms, and who wants to be motivated to get off the sofa and make a significant change to their lifestyle.
Classes in:
Kidlington (Vida).
Mini Karate
Mini Karate is Oxford School of Martial Arts' parent and toddler programme. It is aimed at providing the fundamental skills and abilities, both physical and mental, which form the foundation of martial arts: physical fitness and coordination; cooperation; respect for self and others; concentration and step-by-step achievement. We use games, movement play and activities appropriate to children of this age group to introduce martial arts skills. For ages 2 upwards.
Classes in:
Summertown, Kidlington (Vida).