Kudos Martial Arts
More than martial arts – we develop confidence, discipline and
character for life through karate
Train together. Grow together. Achieve together
Family Martial Arts & Karate Classes at St Stephens Canterbury
A Long Established and
Credible Martial Arts School
For The Whole Family Seeking Quality Martial Arts Training in Canterbury
Looking for a family activity in Canterbury that actually challenges everyone, builds real skills, and creates memories that last? Our Saturday morning family karate class at St Stephen’s Junior School is exactly that — and then some.
Every Saturday morning, families from across Canterbury and the surrounding areas come together on the mat at St Stephen’s Junior School. Parents and children training side by side. Beginners and experienced students in the same class. All ages from 5 upward — learning, progressing, and achieving together.
This isn’t a drop-off activity where you hand your child over and sit in the car park with a coffee. This is you — training alongside your child, working hard together, earning your coloured belts together, and discovering what you’re both made of. The Saturday morning session has become one of the highlights of the week for the families who attend it. We think it’ll become yours too.
What Your Family Will Learn and Achieve
Kyokushin is our style – a strong Japanese traditional style of karate.
Karate training develops the whole person — physically, mentally, and socially. When your family trains together, every one of those benefits is shared, celebrated, and multiplied.
Physical Fitness and Strength
Every session delivers a full body workout that builds cardiovascular fitness, functional strength, flexibility, and coordination — for adults and children alike. No gym membership required. No screen in sight. Just real, physical effort that leaves everyone feeling genuinely accomplished. Fitness levels improve naturally and measurably — and because you’re training together, you’ll notice each other’s progress in a way that motivates everyone to keep going.
Real Self-Defence Skills
Kyokushin karate develops practical self-defence capability as a natural part of training — not as a theory exercise but as a genuine physical skill. For adults and teenagers, that means striking power, awareness, and composure under pressure. For children, it means the physical confidence and assertiveness that makes them far less likely to be targeted in the first place. As a family, you develop a shared understanding of safety, awareness, and how to handle difficult situations — skills that stay with you for life.
Confidence That Transfers Everywhere
The confidence built through karate training isn’t limited to the dojo. Children become more confident in school, more assertive with peers, better at handling challenges. Adults find it in the workplace, in social situations, in how they carry themselves day to day. When families train together, that confidence is mirrored and reinforced — you watch each other grow, and the belief you develop in each other’s capability changes the dynamic at home too.
Discipline and Focus
Kyokushin training demands focus, patience, and consistent effort. These qualities develop naturally through regular training and transfer directly into every area of life — improved concentration at school, better work habits, greater ability to set goals and follow through. When both parent and child are developing these qualities together, the reinforcement at home is powerful. You understand what the other is working through because you’re working through it too.
Belt Progression and Goal Achievement
The coloured belt system gives every family member clear, tangible goals to work toward — from white belt through to black belt. Gradings take place every three months for students who are ready, and the sense of achievement when a new belt is earned is something no participation trophy can replicate. When a parent and child grade on the same day — or watch each other grade at different stages of the same journey — the pride is something the whole family shares.
Community and Belonging
Training at Kudos Martial Arts means joining a community — not just a club. Families who train with us become part of a wider family of students, instructors, and parents who support each other on and off the mat. The friendships formed in the dojo tend to be lasting ones. The community you join when you walk through the door on your first Saturday morning becomes part of your family’s life in ways you won’t expect.
How Family Classes Work
Everyone starts together. Then everyone trains at their own level.
Our family classes have a beautifully simple structure that makes them work for all ages and abilities at the same time.
Every session begins with the whole class training together — parents, children, teenagers, beginners, and black belts all on the mat at the same time for a shared warm-up. This is where the magic happens. The moment a parent and child bow onto the mat together, something shifts. You are no longer just parent and child — you are training partners, facing the same challenge, in the same space, at the same time.
After the warm-up, the class splits into smaller groups based on age and ability — ensuring that every student receives instruction that is appropriate and challenging for their level. Children train safely with peers and age-appropriate instruction. Adults and older teens develop their own skills with more advanced content. You’re in the same room, at the same time, working toward the same goals — just at your own level.
It is the best of both worlds: shared experience and individual development, side by side.
What to Expect at Your First Sunday Family Class
Before Class
Arrive 10 minutes early. Comfortable athletic clothing for everyone — t-shirts and tracksuit bottoms or shorts. We train barefoot. Remove jewellery and tie back long hair. Children aged 5+ welcome with a participating parent or guardian.
The Class Structure
- Shared warm-up — the whole class trains together, all ages, all abilities
- Class splits into ability groups after warm-up for targeted instruction
- Children’s group — age-appropriate techniques and skills
- Teen/Adult group — more advanced syllabus and conditioning
- Cool-down — everyone back together to close the session
First timers are guided through every stage by our instructors. Nobody is left to figure it out alone, and nobody is expected to know anything on day one. Come as you are. We take it from there.
After Class
We’ll check in with your family, answer any questions, and discuss membership and uniform options if you’d like to continue. No obligation, no pressure. Most families book in before they’ve driven home.
Why Family Training is Something Special
There are hundreds of activities you can do as a family. Very few of them do this.
You Lead By Example — On the Mat
When a parent trains alongside their child, something powerful happens. Children don’t just hear ‘work hard and try your best’ — they watch you do it. They see you struggle with a new technique and try again. They watch you get tired and keep going. They observe you being respectful to your instructor and to your training partners. The values you want to instil in your children become visible and real — not just words. There is no more powerful form of parenting than leading by example, and there is no better place to do it than on the mat.
Mutual Respect That Goes Both Ways
One of the most remarkable things families tell us about training together is the change in mutual respect. Parents gain a new appreciation for what their children are achieving. Children see their parents challenged, humbled, working hard, and persevering — and they respect them for it in a completely new way. The belt system makes progress tangible for everyone: when your child watches you grade, or when you watch them earn a new belt, that shared pride is unlike anything else.
Quality Time That Actually Challenges You Both
Watching a film together is quality time. Training together is something else entirely. Family karate classes give you shared challenge, shared achievement, shared struggle, and shared celebration — all in one session. The conversations on the drive home from a karate class are different to the conversations after sitting in front of a screen together. You’ve done something. You’ve worked hard. You have something real to talk about.
A Shared Language and a Shared World
When families train together, karate stops being ‘the thing the kids do’ and becomes a shared passion, a shared language, and a shared identity. You understand what your child is working toward. They understand what you’re finding difficult. You celebrate each other’s progress in a way that only someone on the same journey can. Families who train together tell us consistently that it brings them closer — not in a vague, general sense, but in specific, measurable ways.
The Journey to Black Belt — Together
Some of our most treasured moments as a club have been when a parent and child earn their black belts — not necessarily on the same day, but as part of the same shared journey. When Emma Brice earned her 1st Dan in December 2025, her daughter Kadi — England representative and one of our most successful competitors — was there to share that moment. Their story didn’t start as a family training story. It became one. And it is one of the most inspiring things we have witnessed in 30 years of teaching martial arts.
Compete Together — If You Want To
For families where both parent and child want to compete, we have a thriving competition team that travels to local, regional, national, and international tournaments. Competing alongside your child — or watching them compete while you do the same — is an experience that very few sports can offer. We have families who train together, travel to tournaments together, and support each other through every round. It creates bonds that no other activity produces.
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Canterbury Family Karate Class Schedule
Easily accessible from: • Canterbury city centre • Bridge • Littlebourne • Chartham • Chilham • Sturry • Surrounding East Kent villages
TO MAKE YOUR BOOKING – SELECT FROM THE CHOOSE YOUR CLASS LIST BELOW
St Stephens Junior School
Saturday
9.30am to 10.30am
St Stephens Junior School
Hales Drive
Canterbury
CT2 7AD
Booking Calendar
St Stephens
How to Book Your First Class
Our Family karate classes (ages 5+, Teens and Adults) offer excellent value with flexible options.
All new students must book in advance. Simply:
1. Choose your preferred class time from our schedule above
2. Book online through our calendar system
3. Arrive 10 minutes early for your first class
4. Wear comfortable athletic clothing
5. Meet our instructors and get started!
Family Karate Class Pricing at
St Stephens
CHILDREN MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP (Recommended)
• 1 class per week: £39/month
• 2 classes per week: £60/month
ADULT MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP (Recommended)
• 1 class per week: £45/month
• 2 classes per week: £70/month
TRIAL CLASS
Not sure if karate is right for you? Try before you commit!
• One-off trial class: Children – £10
• One-off trial class: Adult – £15
• Experience a full session before any commitment
• Meet our instructors and see our training firsthand
• No obligation to continue
Payment is by bank transfer (BACS) and must be arranged in advance. We’ll provide full details when you book.
We look forward to welcoming you to our St Stephens karate family!
Superb karate club that has great instructors and a very friendly, positive and welcoming atmosphere. I re-started training after a small gap of 30 years…and love that it caters for all – male, female, older or younger. It provides a challenge, but you are always supported and encouraged. 100% recommend.
David Leddington
Lukas absolutely loves his Sunday training sessions. It’s something he genuinely looks forward to every week. Amy and Brendon are both fantastic instructors, they create such a positive and encouraging environment for everyone.
It’s especially great to see both kids and adults training together, it builds a strong sense of community and keeps everyone motivated. You can really see the impact it has, not just on skills but on confidence and enthusiasm too.
Highly recommend to anyone looking for a supportive and motivating place to train.
J V
The Karate class at this club is great for us – good for health, good for confidence and a good workout, always feeling so well after the training. We learn a lot here and value the friendly atmosphere.
H LP
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Our Instructors at Kudos Martial Arts
“At Kudos Martial Arts, you’ll train with some of Kent’s most experienced and dedicated Kyokushin instructors. Our senior teaching team brings decades of combined martial arts experience, advanced black belt qualifications, and a genuine passion for helping students of all ages achieve their goals. Each instructor undergoes continuous professional development, and understands how to make traditional Kyokushin training both challenging and accessible.
Whether you’re a complete beginner taking your first steps in martial arts, a parent looking for quality instruction for your child, or a dedicated student pursuing black belt, our instructors provide expert guidance, individual attention, and the support you need to succeed. They don’t just teach techniques—they mentor, inspire, and create an environment where every student can discover their potential through authentic karate training.”
Shihan Paul
7th Dan
I started Kyokushin Karate just over 40 year ago. I am the head instuctor of Kudos Martial Arts and the founder of the IKK International Karate Kyokushinkaikan. My life has been sharing skills and knowledge of Kyokushin Karate to inspire others to be good and strong people.
Shihan Russell
6th Dan
I am Shihan Russell Wilson I have over 40 years of experience in karate and martial arts holding 6th Dan in karate along with several additional Dan grade in other styles. I have dedicated my life to developing my own skills and those of others.
Throughout my journey I have taken part and competing in various competitions and served as referee as well as completing a wide range of training courses to further my knowledge. My passion for martial arts is matched by my commitment to teaching others with over 20 years of teaching guiding students of all ages and abilities.
I take great pride in helping students progress from beginners to achieving their 1st Dan. While the achievement belongs to the student i share in their success, confidence the smile on their face and a sense of accomplishment.
Sue
6th Kyu
I first got involved with IKK in 2017 through my older kids; after sitting on the side just watching for weeks I offered to help sign students in. From there I became club secretary and unofficial helper, first to Sensei Nigel and then to Shihan Amy.
I started training a few months later, but had a long hiatus due to the birth of my youngest plus Covid. When my youngest was old enough to join I re-joined alongside them, to keep them company. I’m currently 6th Kyu, and help Shihan Amy & Senpai Bredon on Thursdays with both admin and teaching.
Teaching karate is a joy for me, I’m always a little too full of knowledge and excitement, so passing it on feels right. It’s also a great way to focus on perfecting a technique, because it’s hard to teach if you can’t describe and demonstrate it.
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Google Reviews
Read our Google Reviews from our students and families.
Family Success Stories
These are real families. Real journeys. Real achievements.
Emma and Kadi — The Ultimate Family Story
Emma Brice began training after watching her daughter Kadi develop through our clubs. Seven years later, Emma was announced as our Student of the Year 2026 — recognised for her dedicated training, outstanding tournament success, and remarkable fundraising efforts for the competition team. In December 2025, Emma earned her 1st Dan black belt at the age of 47. Her daughter Kadi, meanwhile, represented England in the England vs Wales Kyokushin event and competed at the Irish Open in Dublin — where the entire team placed. Mother and daughter. Both competitors. Both achievers. Both inspiring each other every step of the way.
Families Who Grade Together
We have had multiple occasions where a parent and child have both been on the mat at the same grading — earning different belts, at different stages of their journey, but sharing the same moment. The pride in the room when that happens is something that has to be witnessed. Parents who began training to understand what their child was doing, who discovered they loved it, who kept going, who graded alongside their child years later. These are the stories we treasure most.
Families Who Compete Together
Several of our family groups include both parent and child competitors who travel to tournaments together, support each other through fights, and celebrate results as a family. The competition environment — the nerves, the preparation, the performance, the result — is shared in a way that creates an unbreakable bond. Families who compete together develop a mutual respect and understanding that goes far deeper than the mat.
The Parents Who Started Watching
Some of our most dedicated adult students began by sitting on the sidelines watching their child train. Something about what they saw — the discipline, the energy, the evident enjoyment, the visible progress — made them think ‘I want to do that.’ They joined. They discovered they loved it. And now they train at least as seriously as their children. If you’re reading this as a parent who has been watching from the sidelines, this section is for you. Come and join in. You won’t regret it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about martial arts training at Kudos? Here are answers to the most common questions we receive from prospective students and parents. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us directly and we’ll be happy to help.
Martial Arts FAQ Section
What age does my child need to be to join a family class?
Children need to be at least 5 years old to participate in our family classes. There is no upper age limit for adults — we have parents of all ages training alongside children of all ages.
The class structure ensures that every participant trains safely and at an appropriate level regardless of age or ability.
Do we need to have the same experience level to train together?
Not at all — and this is one of the things that makes our family classes so well designed. Everyone begins with the shared warm-up together, then splits into ability groups so each person receives instruction appropriate to their level.
A complete beginner parent and a child who has been training for two years can be in the same family class session — they’ll train together for the warm-up and then develop their own skills with appropriate instruction. You don’t need to be at the same level to share the experience.
Can I join the family class even if my child already attends a separate children's class?
Absolutely — and we actively encourage it. Many of our family members train in multiple sessions across the week. Your child might attend a dedicated children’s class mid-week AND join you for the family session at the weekend. It’s a great way to increase training frequency while adding the special shared dimension of training together as a family.
Is there a family discount on membership?
Yes. Individual pricing applies for the first and second family members. From the third family member onwards, membership is half price. So a family of four training together benefits significantly compared to individual memberships.
Contact your nearest club for specific pricing based on your family’s training plans.
What if my child is more advanced than me — will that be awkward?
Not at all — and this happens more often than you might think! Children often progress quickly and may reach a higher belt grade than a parent who started later. Far from being awkward, families tell us this dynamic creates a wonderful mutual respect.
Your child seeing you as a white belt working hard and persevering is enormously powerful for them. And watching your child demonstrate techniques they’ve mastered before you is something you’ll find genuinely moving rather than embarrassing. Trust us on this one.
Can I compete in tournaments as an adult?
Yes — and we have families who do exactly this. Parent and child competitors travel to tournaments together, support each other through fights, and celebrate results as a family unit.
Competition is always optional for everyone, but for families where both members want to compete, the shared tournament experience is something truly special that very few activities can offer.
What should we wear to our first family class?
For your trial class, comfortable athletic clothing is perfect for everyone — t-shirts and tracksuit bottoms for both adults and children.
Everyone trains barefoot so no special footwear is needed. Please remove all jewellery and tie back long hair before class. Once you join, karate gis (uniforms) are available to purchase separately — we’ll advise on sizing for all family members when you sign up.
Can grandparents train with grandchildren?
We love this question — and the answer is yes, as long as the grandparent is in reasonable health and their GP is happy for them to participate in moderate physical activity.
We have students across a very wide age range and our instructors are experienced at adapting training for different fitness levels and physical capabilities. If you’re unsure, come and watch a session first, have a chat with our instructors, and make an informed decision together.
How do we book our first family class?
Choose your preferred location and session from the options on this page and use the booking calendar to secure your places. All new students must book in advance.
Trial classes cost £10 per child and £15 per adult — so a parent and child trial costs £25 with no obligation to continue. We look forward to welcoming your family!
What if one of us loves it and the other doesn't?
That’s completely fine and it does occasionally happen. Both of you are under no obligation after the trial class. If one family member wants to continue and the other doesn’t, that’s absolutely no problem — individual memberships are always available. But in our experience, families who come together tend to stay together.
The shared experience of that first class usually settles any doubts pretty quickly.
Why Family Kyokushin?
Kyokushin is our style – a strong Japanese traditional style of karate.
Kyokushin means Ultimate Truth. It is built on the principle that genuine training produces genuine results — and nowhere is that more evident than in the families who train together at Kudos Martial Arts.
We have seen parents inspire children, children inspire parents, and families grow closer through the shared experience of the mat in ways that no other activity produces. We have watched parents earn black belts alongside children who started before them. We have seen families compete together at national and European level. We have witnessed the pride of a parent watching their child grade, and the pride of a child watching their parent do the same.
With 30 years serving Canterbury families — and a Saturday morning session that has become a weekly highlight for the families who attend it — Family training is one of the most rewarding things we offer — and one of the most rewarding things a family can do together.
Trial class: £10 per child, £15 per adult. Book your family’s first session today.