Gradings are a fundamental part of the martial arts journey. They provide an opportunity for a student to demonstrate their current knowledge and skills, allowing the examiner to assess whether it is appropriate to award the next belt level and introduce the next stage of the syllabus.
At Fortitude Academy, gradings are held monthly (except August and December), usually towards the end of each calendar month. During a grading, students will be asked to demonstrate all elements of their current syllabus to the examiner.
Fortitude Examiners
Master Hodson VIII – East Grinstead, Oxted, Reigate, and Horsham
Mrs Hodson VI – East Grinstead, Oxted, Reigate, and Horsham
Mrs Andrews VI – Tunbridge Wells & Burgess Hill
Mr Moat V – Oldham
Mr & Mrs Holland V – Sevenoaks, Platt
Mr Harrold IV – Caterham, Coulsdon, Kenley, Carshalton
Mr Pitman IV – Beckenham
Miss Pitman IV – Sevenoaks
It is completely natural, especially for beginners, to be eager to progress to the next belt. Setting goals and working towards them is an important part of growth, not only in martial arts but in life.
However, it is important to remember that the true objective of training is improvement, not simply wearing a different coloured belt. A belt is a symbol of a student’s current level of skill, knowledge, and understanding. Without the appropriate standard to support it, the belt itself has little meaning.
For this reason, our focus is always on quality of performance, rather than the amount of time trained or the number of lessons attended.
While we have:
These serve only as guidelines to support motivation and help instructors track progress.
The overriding factor when deciding whether a student is ready to grade is always:
Students who maintain this mindset—focusing on consistent improvement, discipline, and understanding—will find that progress and success naturally follow throughout their martial arts journey.
Once a student has met the required criteria, their instructor will invite them to take part in a grading. All grading requirements are clearly outlined in the student syllabus handbook.
You will need to study your theory from your syllabus booklet. If you need a new booklet please follow this link
Handbook (V4 2022) – MEMBERS SHOP
Or alternatively head over to our Student Hub
Student Hub – Syllabus ONLINE – Fortitude Martial Arts Academy (tkd4u.co.uk)
Master Hodson VIII
Mrs Hodson VI
East Grinstead Dojang, Queens Road, RH19 1BG
The grading event will begin at 10:00am.
From this start time each belt level has been allocated a specific arrival time, as shown on your grading ticket.
White Belts & Yellow Stripes: Please arrive at 9:45am
All other students should arrive 10–15 minutes before their stated start time
From your allocated start time, a grading will usually take 30–45 minutes, depending on the number of students grading. Some waiting time should be expected.
Please queue at the doorway clearly marked ENTRY.
An instructor will register students on arrival and conduct the theory test questions. All white belts and ninja belts will be directed to enter at the side of the dojang where their grading will promptly begin at 10.00am. All other belts will directed to wait in the hallway for their grading to commence.
Once a grading session has started, no late entry will be permitted, so punctuality is essential. Late arrival may result in the student being unable to grade.
Students are dropped off for grading; however, parents and guardians must remain on site for the duration of the grading.
Parents may wait outside the hall and observe from there.
For students under 12 years of age, an instructor will escort them out of the hall once they have completed their grading for collection.
Due to venue capacity limits, spectators are not permitted in the hall during gradings.
This restriction does not apply to SEN students. If your child requires additional support, please contact us in advance so suitable arrangements can be made.
All students must arrive:
Wearing their full Dobok and correct belt
With a bottle of water
Toilets are available for grading students.
Mrs Andrews VI
TEMPORARILY TO BE HELD @
East Grinstead Dojang, Queens Road, RH19 1BG
The grading event will begin at 10:00am.
From this start time each belt level has been allocated a specific arrival time, as shown on your grading ticket.
White Belts & Yellow Stripes: Please arrive at 9:45am
All other students should arrive 10–15 minutes before their stated start time
From your allocated start time, a grading will usually take 30–45 minutes, depending on the number of students grading. Some waiting time should be expected.
Please queue at the doorway clearly marked ENTRY.
An instructor will register students on arrival and conduct the theory test questions. All white belts and ninja belts will be directed to enter at the side of the dojang where their grading will promptly begin at 10.00am. All other belts will directed to wait in the hallway for their grading to commence.
Once a grading session has started, no late entry will be permitted, so punctuality is essential. Late arrival may result in the student being unable to grade.
Students are dropped off for grading; however, parents and guardians must remain on site for the duration of the grading.
Parents may wait outside the hall and observe from there.
For students under 12 years of age, an instructor will escort them out of the hall once they have completed their grading for collection.
Due to venue capacity limits, spectators are not permitted in the hall during gradings.
This restriction does not apply to SEN students. If your child requires additional support, please contact us in advance so suitable arrangements can be made.
All students must arrive:
Wearing their full Dobok and correct belt
With a bottle of water
Toilets are available for grading students.
Mr Moat V
Mr Holland V
Mrs Holland V
Mr Harrold IV
The grading event will begin at 1:00pm.
From this start time each belt level has been allocated a specific arrival time, as shown on your grading ticket.
White Belts & Yellow Stripes: Please arrive at 12:45pm
All other students should arrive 10–15 minutes before their stated start time
From your allocated start time, a grading will usually take 30–45 minutes, depending on the number of students grading. Some waiting time should be expected.
Please queue at the doorway clearly marked ENTRY.
An instructor will register students on arrival.
Once a grading session has started, no late entry will be permitted, so punctuality is essential. Late arrival may result in the student being unable to grade.
Students are dropped off for grading; however, parents and guardians must remain on site for the duration of the grading.
Parents may stay and watch in the hall, but must keep quiet to ensure the graders can perform at their best.
If your child requires additional support, please contact us in advance so suitable arrangements can be made.
All students must arrive:
Wearing their full Dobok and correct belt
With a bottle of water
Toilets are available on site.
Mr Pitman IV
Miss Pitman IV
