To keep our training fresh, focused and steadily progressive, we’re making a positive update to the Karate & Kickboxing syllabus from Monday 1 September 2025.
Why we’re making this change
With over 35 years of teaching experience, we’ve witnessed how learning has evolved and how children (and adults) absorb skills differently today compared to decades ago. As instructors, it’s our role to adapt, refine and progress with this knowledge—so that every student develops with confidence and reaches their potential.
Modern research in child development shows that young people thrive on smaller, more frequent milestones. They feel motivated when they can celebrate regular wins, and this builds self-belief and resilience. These syllabus changes are designed exactly with that in mind.
What’s changing
- Two new progress belts to celebrate consistent effort and keep motivation high:
Red with White Stripe and Red with Black Stripe. - Additional techniques in both Karate and Kickboxing to build well-rounded skills and confidence.
- A Rotating Kata section in Karate, ensuring stronger mastery and consistency across students.
Rotating Kata (Karate)
From Red with Black Stripe, Yellow and Orange belts, all students will learn the same kata for their next grading, then rotate together to the next kata for the following grading. This builds mastery, memory and performance quality.
- Low Grade Rotation: Pinan, Il Jang, Ye Jang
- Intermediate Rotation (Intermediate classes): Sam Jang, Sa Jang, Oh Jang
- Elite Students & Classes: No change
Importantly, this rotating kata section is in line with Master Wayne’s Instructors Club and other associated clubs in the organisation, ensuring consistent standards across our wider community.
Practical notes
- Start date: From Monday 1 September 2025.
- Current belts stay the same: Students keep their current belt. Your instructor will confirm exactly which kata or techniques apply for your next grading.
- Updated syllabus outline: We’ll provide this in class and on the Members Page.
With decades of experience guiding students through martial arts, and with the support of modern teaching methods, we’re confident these refinements will make training even more rewarding, motivating and effective for everyone.
If you have any questions, please speak to your instructor in class or email info@sesma.co.uk
Next Beginner Belt Grading
We will be giving out invites to White & all variations of Red Belts in September to attend their grading on:
Saturday 27th September 1pm Kickboxing Karate 2pm
On the day of your grading, could you please:
Wear full martial arts outfit inc belt
£20 payment for your White to White/Red Stripe Belt Grading (pay on the day)
£20 payment for your White/Red Stripe to Red Belt Grading (pay on the day)
£25 for Red to Red/Black Stripe Belt Grading (pay on the day)
£30 for Red/Black Stripe to Yellow Belt Grading (pay on the day)
Your grading invite
🥋🥋 KATA Friday 5th September🥋🥋
For students that are Yellow belt and above, you would have started learning your new kata.
5pm Red/Black Stripe, Yellow & Orange Belts
6pm Green, 2nd Green Belts & Blue Belts
7pm 2nd Blue & Purple Belts
8pm Brown & Above
Each class has 2-3 instructors to help you get your kata its best, but remember you will still need to practice at home too.
Competition Training Friday
Next competition training class will be on Friday 19th September
We plan to run the competition training class every 3rd Friday of the month.
If you are interested in competitions, then these classes are for you.
Open to all belts and abilities.
5pm Kata & Kihon 6pm Freestyle Weapons Kata 7pm Sparring (karate/kickboxing) & Freestanding Bag
Karate & Kickboxing Comp
so keep your eyes peeled for more information!
SESMA are supporting an event for The Man Cave, mens mental health on Saturday 6th September at The Silver Fox Public House in Taverham.
There will be music throughout the day and into the evening and a raffle and auction to raise funds to support this group and help raise awareness 
Confirmed acts for the day are as follows;
Emily Blake, Barny Holmes, Get Loaded and D.J Tammy Dodger + support from SESMA (Martial Arts School)
Face Painting – Hog Roast & Ice Creams
Blue Light Discount for new Members
If you know anyone that are members of the emergency services, please inform them that SESMA Martial Arts are offering half price membership (joining fee) with presentation of their Blue Light Card.
This offer starts from August 1st 2025
Sesma annual celebrational family evening
Interested?????
Please visit the SESMA Members Facebook page and leave you vote.
Martial arts display by instructors and students.
It’s not all about the awards, it’s about having fun and enjoying ourselves.
Beginner Buddies
We are looking for a selection of Red/Black Stripe, Yellow & Orange Belt students that are interested in helping beginners feel welcome in the classes.
We all know that it can be quite a step to enter a place for the 1st time, where everyone looks like they are friends and having fun.
That may even have been you when you first came to SESMA for your intro trial class.
The instructors thought, wouldnt it be great if we could team up a beginner with a student that would make them feel welcome and assist them during the class.
That beginner would then have a friend that they can speak to ask questions and show them the sesma etiquette.
So that beginners know which students are Beginner Buddies, those that are chosen to be a SESMA BB, they will have BB printed Yellow Belt.
Parent Offer - 1/2 price membership
Many of you sit and watch your child learn & have fun in the karate classes.
Why not join them on the mat and have fun too.
Many parents have taken that scary first step and have enjoyed so much that they wished they did it sooner.
Martial arts is a great way to bond with your child, learning and having fun together and the bonding doesn’t stop on the mat, it continues at home to.
Plus the added benefit is that your body gets fitter, your mind gets sharper and you are learning to defend yourself.
If you would like to join your child on the mats, speak to reception and we will size you up for a suit and 1/2 price membership, it’s as easy as that.
The hard bit is taking that 1st step.