11/09/2026
My biggest frustration running a martial arts school right now!
๐ฅ โIs my child in for their karate grading?โ
As an instructor, sometimes the answer has to be:
Not at the moment.
This weeks conversation!!!
Parent: Is my child in for the next grading?
Sensei: Itโs now 10th September, and I still havenโt seen your child back in class.
In fact, weโve checked and their last training session was 8th July!
Thatโs over TWO MONTHS without training.
Yet sometimes weโre still asked:
โAre they grading?โ ๐คทโโ๏ธ
This is where parents need to understand that grading is NOT an automatic invite!
Just because a student has been a certain belt for the required amount of time does not automatically mean they are ready for the next one.
๐ฅ Consistency plays a massive part.
We need to see them training.
We need to see their technique.
We need to see their improvement.
We need to see that they remember their syllabus.
And most importantly, we need to be confident that they are ready to attempt the grading.
If we havenโt seen a student train for weeks or months, how can we fairly assess whether theyโre ready?
Grading isnโt something you are simply due.
It is something you work towards and earn.
We completely understand that families have holidays, school breaks and other commitments โ especially over the summer. โ๏ธ
But time away from training still has an impact.
As instructors, our responsibility isnโt to put every student forward because a grading date has arrived.
Our responsibility is to make sure the student standing in front of the examiner is READY.
๐๐ค Attendance. Consistency. Progress. Readiness.
They ALL matter.
ALL IN OR NOTHING AT ALL. ๐ฅ!
