Welcome to Fortitude Academy, where the spirit of Taekwon-Do comes alive! Delve into the heart of martial arts excellence as we invite you to explore the dynamic world of our academy.
Meet the guiding force behind our martial art schools: Master David Hodson VIII Degree. Since 1995, Master Hodson has been dedicated to imparting the art of Taekwon-Do, igniting a passion for martial arts that started with his inaugural classes in Oxted.
In the year 2000, Fortitude Martial Arts Academy took root, a visionary endeavor founded by Master Hodson and his wife, Simone Hodson VI Degree. From its humble beginnings in Oxted, Sevenoaks, and Haywards Heath, the academy has flourished under their leadership.
The heartbeat of our growth lies in the Instructor Training Course, an exclusive opportunity for our black belt students. This initiative empowers individuals to become the next generation of martial arts instructors. As a result, Fortitude has evolved into a well-established academy, extending its expertise across Kent, Sussex, and Surrey, boasting an impressive number locations. Notably, we’ve recently expanded our reach with a satellite location in Oldham, Lancashire.
Our experienced instructors, each with a wealth of knowledge, are poised to welcome you into their classes. Fortitude’s commitment to progress and excellence is evident in every facet of our academy.
Take the first step on your martial arts journey with our enticing offer: a FREE 2 week trial for every new student. We are confident that this opportunity will inspire you to join us at one of our diverse and thriving locations, where the spirit of Fortitude awaits.
Discover the essence of Fortitude Academy by exploring our comprehensive website and our Classes pages. Our commitment to martial arts excellence is reflected in our dedication to providing a holistic learning experience.
At Fortitude Academy, we proudly impart a traditional ITF Taekwon-Do syllabus using contemporary training methods. This unique blend ensures our students acquire not only the time-honored techniques of Taekwon-Do but also modern self-defense skills. Aligned with the National Taekwon-Do Alliance UK (NTAUK), an esteemed affiliate of ITF HQ, we stand as a beacon of martial arts expertise.
Taekwon-Do, founded by the revered Korean General Choi Hong Hi (Grand Master General Choi Hong Hi, 9th Degree, 1918-2002), is more than a martial art – it’s an art of self-defense. Recognised officially on 11th April 1955, after extensive research, development, and experimentation, General Choi presented Taekwon-Do to the world as a genuinely valid and distinctive martial art.
Translated literally, Taekwon-Do embodies its essence:
‘Tae’ signifies kicking, jumping, flying, or smashing with the foot.
‘Kwon’ denotes the fist – the power to punch or destroy with the hand.
‘Do’ represents the art or the way – a path forged by the wisdom of Saints and Sages of the past.
Embark on a journey with us at Fortitude Academy, where tradition meets innovation, and every step is a stride towards martial arts mastery. Join us in exciting and enjoyable classes that promise not only self-defense skills but a holistic approach to personal growth and well-being.
Our school philosophy is based on empowering the individual student. Therefore, helping them to discover their inner spirit, to develop the skills, and attitude to make it to black belt and beyond.
Adults are able to get in the best shape of their lives whilst learning practical self-defence.
Teenagers channel energy, relieve stress and build self-esteem whilst building a lifelong social circle.
Children from the age of 3 years old develop confidence and valuable life skills.
Fundamentally, more and more families are choosing us as the best activity to enjoy! To stay fit and healthy for today, for tomorrow, and for life!
Fortitude Martial Arts Academy organise Seminars, Competitions, and Camps throughout the year, and provide monthly gradings.
Firstly, and importantly, an invitation to grade is based on our unique tip testing programme for the children. Consequently, this stretches out the gradings appropriately. Thus, helping the younger students set realistic intermediary goals.
Equally, our Adult students have a timeframe to follow to set themselves individual goals.
Upon joining we provide a Student Handbook. The handbook outlines our Ninja Programme and ITF grading syllabus adapted for Fortitude Academy.
Most importantly, our instructors are Fully Qualified, Insured, hold First Aid & Safeguarding Certificates, and have had the up to date DBS checks.
Accordingly, every Instructor and Assistant are dedicated to the art of Taekwon-Do. Duly, 100% committed to their own training and development, essentially ensuring the best quality tuition is provided to you. Meet our Instructors
Embracing the challenges presented by the lockdown starting in 2020. We uniquely tailored our approach to cater to the needs of our Taekwon-Do students during these trying times. Introducing an innovative online syllabus and a dedicated student hub, led by Master Hodson and our Chief/Senior Instructors, we’ve made it possible for aspiring Taekwon-Do enthusiasts to embark on their journey from any location, at any time.
This online platform provides access to a wealth of pre-recorded syllabus material and virtual classes, ensuring that learning and progress continue seamlessly. We strongly encourage students to leverage this supplementary learning tool for activities such as preparing for gradings, acquiring new patterns, studying, and refining techniques.
In this dynamic environment, our commitment to providing a flexible and accessible learning experience reflects our dedication to the growth of Taekwon-Do enthusiasts. Join us in this exciting venture, and let’s continue the pursuit of martial arts excellence together, even in the face of challenging circumstances.
