GRADING STRUCTURE

The kyu/dan grade system was borrowed from judo when karate was introduced to Japan. Kyu grades wear coloured belts, dan grades wear a black belt. As far as I'm aware, all karate schools use the kyu/dan system although the colour of the belts may differ from school to school.

As with my lessons I have three grading systems:

Children must pass each grade up to 3rd kyu provisionally before progressing to the full grade.

Tots start at 12th kyu and are tested every three months in the child's normal lesson so it's not too stressful.

Juniors and adults start at 8th kyu and are tested separately from lessons every four months.