GRADING

Advancing through the colour belts is done by a system of gradings. These are held every 3 months at regional centres, more specifically on a thirteen-week grading cycle. Our regional centre is actually the National Acamedy in Bristol. (Go to the bottom of the page for directions.)
A grading typically consists of line work, patterns, Theory and for higher grades, sparring. Students can typically advance through the belts at a rate of 1 Kup every 3 months, until they reach senior grade (blue belt), where the rate becomes 1 Kup every 6 months. Therefore, reaching Black Belt takes 3.5 years, assuming the student advances as fast as possible and does not fail any gradings. However, treating Tae Kwon-Do as just a bought commodity that allows the student to gain a Black Belt is frowned upon. This is reflected in higher level gradings, where students may be asked how they have contributed to their school aside from working on their own advancement. Contributions often include teaching lower level students, helping at gradings and helping at tournaments.
Advancing up to and through the levels of black belts is done by a system of gradings held every six months (April and October) at the National Academy in Bristol. The time it takes between degrees of black belt is usually equal in years to the Dan that you are aiming for. For example, if you are training to become a third degree black belt, you must train for a minimum of three years. Younger black belts (under sixteen) are further limited to one grading every four years, earning Stars annually in the interim, in order to avoid over-straining their developing physique.

Colour students: We offer pre-grading examinations for all students, by your instructor, just prior to the actual grading, where your readiness for the grading can be properly assessed. Many, but not all, clubs offer this service.
Black Belts & Black Tags: Just prior to a black belt grading, the TAGB run 3 black belt pre-grading sessions which are held regionally and are often marked by high ranking guest black belts from other clubs. All students who wish to grade must attend these sessions: if you fail to attend all three sessions then you will not be eligible to grade (though usually you may be allowed to attend another regional session elsewhere).
Black tags usually attend the early morning session with Dan grades following on immediately afterwards. All black belts who are not due to grade must attend any one of these three training sessions every six months.
What is taught at these 3 sessions may vary but will usually include linework, free sparring, patterns, 3-step, 2-step and 1-step sparring. The instructors who run these sessions drum into you how important the grading is, how you should behave and to make an effort in all that you do. In short, what the TAGB examiners like to see and what they expect of you!

Directions: From the M32, take the A4320 towards the Lawrence Hill roundabout, where you should turn left onto the A420 signposted towards Kingswood and Hanham. The National Academy is a large white building on the left, set back from the road, and just past the Old Stilage public house and the “Miss Milly’s” chicken takeaway. It is behind large raised railings with quite prominent signs. Parking can be a major problem, so try to arrive early or be prepared to scout around for a space.