Grading Syllabus Overview:

Our grading syllabus progressively builds upon enhancing ability, techniques and sparring skills learnt from the previous grading.   – Children aged 5-10 years have a separate bespoke syllabus.

Examination
Each examination (grading) is undertaken by one of our appointed examiners,  who will also provide a couple of written pointers and feedback. (Via your instructor or your private member login area on the website).
Our syllabus takes the student from white belt beginner (8^th grader) through to the highest assessed level 6^th Degree Black Belt.    (8th grader, 7th grader, 6th grader, 5th grader, 4th grader, 3rd grader , 2nd grader, 1st grader, 1st Dan Black Belt, up to 6th Degree Black Belt.)
Children’s syllabus (5-10 years): Is broken down into smaller easier steps, especially between white and blue belt with additional yellow and green belts and multiple tags for mini tests (Sifu tests) which are age appropriate.

Senior Grade Examinations
Candidates taking Black Belts (1^st Degree and higher) will be evaluated by the Chief Examiners and other Dan grades utilising a peer review approach.

Grading Requirements:
(Note: We’ve used a variety of languages in the headings, if you are familiar with different martial art terminology or spelling variations of the ‘forms’ as many are not unique to one style, although typically each school might shift their emphasis e.g. explosive power versus graceful fluidity.)

Grade Belt	Form / Pattern ( taolu / kata / poomsae )	Fixed Sparring (Fx.Sp) /Sparring Forms	Free Sparring	Explanatory Notes:
8th Grade White Belt	Luo-Harn Ch'ao	Basic Stances Pre-test (front, back and riding/horse stances) + 3 step fixed sparring	N /A	Students with incomplete stances will repeat the “Basic Stances Pre-test" at next grading. (Pre-tests avoid white belts developing bad habits - good footwork is key to good sparring, stances are a proven tool for developing flexibility in ankles, hips, leg muscles etc)
7th Grade White Belt + Tag	Ch'ang Ch'uen 1 (cf Chángquán or Chang Quan)	Basic Kicks Pre Test (front, side and turning/roundhouse 3x3 turn 3x3) + Basic Stances RE-TEST IF REQUIRED + 3 step leg technique	N /A	Students with incomplete kicks may be asked to repeat the Basic Kicks Pre-test at their next grading
6th Grade Blue Belt	Ch'ang Ch'uen 2	2 step fixed sparring + Basic Kicks RE-TEST IF REQUIRED	1 round	Free sparring is with partner similar, size and grade - Referee is looking for control and good technique - not K.O. competition
5th Grade Blue Belt + Tag	Ch'ang Ch'uen 3	1 step fixed sparring (Fx.Sp.) Plus introduction to break falls	1 round	Fx.Sp. Introduces concepts of: moving in, out, sideways, using legs, and joint locking (Chin na 擒拿) defensive techniques. Basic breakfalls has been added for this grading (Throwing is covered later)
4th Grade Orange Belt	Ch'ang Ch'uen 4	Self Defence 8 different techniques (N.B. Learn 9 techniques so you have an alternative option*)	1 round	Fx.Sp. Introduces concepts of: moving in, out, sideways, using legs, and joint locking (Chin na 擒拿) defensive techniques. Basic breakfalls has been added for this grading (Throwing is covered later)
3rd Grade Orange Belt + Tag	Ch'ang Ch'uen 5	Leg Techniques 4 leg attacks and counters + 4 basic jumping kicks and counters	1 round	(Fx.Sp. At this stage students will possess reasonable levels of flexibility)
2nd Grade Brown Belt	Ch'ang Ch'uen 6	Throwing / Takedown / Ground Escape Techniques 5 throws against punch, (including inside + outside hip throw). Takesdowns against Front, side and Turning kicks and combination of ground escapes or rear choke hold	Minimum 1 round	2nd grade students are welcome to observe and take part in the 1st grade *Prep sessions. Note: Ex WSK Black Belt instructors will find the ground escapes a basic new skill.
1st Grade Brown Belt - going for Black Belt (1st Degree/Dan)	Tsu p'ing Ch'uen + 1 random Ch’ang Ch’uen Form (chosen on grading day)	Punching Tiles Chopping Bricks or Blocks Sidekick Wood (Destruction Techniques replace Fixed Sparring) *See Note below on grading Preparation (Prep) sessions	Minimum 5 rounds	Group Sparring (same weight division) 1 round versus Black Belt from previous grading (maintains consistent high standard between Gradings) 1 versus 2 Sparring - men and women Students who have chosen to compete in sanctioned competitions - will be credited with this during assessment.

First grade students  and their instructor are asked to attend the annual revision and grading preparation prior to the Black Belt Grading.  These positive feedback sessions are designed to help candidates prepare for the grading:-

• Practical performance of grading requirements
• Training tips
• Sparring skills feedback
• Destruction preparation training, technique variations and ‘KATO’ Pre-test
• Brief theory based session to help underpin their knowledge and preparation
  N.B. KATO Pre-test: Signed off by two 6th Degree Black Belts is a requirement for using KATO in your Black Belt grading, otherwise you will be required to find volunteers to hold the wood for you.
  (KATO holds the wood rigid – makes side kick destruction test much easier but we need to check your accuracy first)