Axis Martial Arts Rules & Regulations

1. Payment for monthly tuition fees is taken in advance either at the end of the proceeding month or on or around the 1st of each month. If a specific payment date is required we can set up the direct debit for that date and work out the difference if any fees are outstanding.

2. Payment is taken via monthly direct debit and is always preferable although in some cases we will make an exception if necessary, please speak to one of the instructors if direct debit is an issue or email info@axismartialarts.co.uk

3. Gradings are not mandatory every 3 months but when the student is ready, It should be 3 months to obtain their first belt (9th Kyu). I have had several parents tell me that somewhere in our documentation they have read there are mandatory gradings every 3 months but this is definitely not the case.

4. Individual lesson fees are forfeit unless notice is given 48 hours before the student can't attend the lesson. It incentivises everyone to attend lessons and we still have overheads to cover. We aren't trying to penalise students and parents but we can't have everyone cancelling last minute either.

5. Our current offer is the student receives two free taster lessons and then signs up as a member at a discounted rate of 49.99. For this the student receives the rest of the months lessons free, their uniform, syllabus and membership to the Axis Martial Arts Dojo. The student is then signed up to the automated direct debit system. Signing up to the automated payment system to take lesson fees is mandatory for members of Axis Martial Arts.

6. You cannot withdraw a student from gradings if they are ready to undertake them, it's unfair on the student as its stunts their progression. The adult students work on kyu grades so have 3 belts ,white when they start, green while working up to black belt and then black. Rank is reflected by their patch (Wappen) and stars (Hoshi). We offer coloured belts to the students to incentivise them to progress in their training so if they are not allowed to grade then it's counter productive for the student. We will only ever nominate them for gradings when they are ready and not before. Gradings for the Real Mini Ninjas are £20 and for this they receive their grading, belt and certificate. Adults are graded according to the Bujinkan Honbu Dojo charging system in Japanese Yen.

7. If we are hosting a competition or a tournament then all students participating will be expected to attend, If they aren't old enough to participate then obviously they won't be expected to attend. Participation isn't mandatory but once registered the student must attend. Registration will always run beforehand so parents will be notified in advance.

8. We offer a referral scheme: Each student or parent who brings a new student into the Dojo who then becomes a member receives £20.

9. You aren't expected to pay fees if your on holiday as long as you inform us 2 weeks before leaving. If you don't then we will assume you couldn't attend and therefore your fees for the lessons will be forfeit. This is mainly due to adjustments that have to made to the system to take into account the reduced payment for that month.

10. Annual memberships are from the 1st of January each year. We have received a few questions about memberships running annually from the month the student signs up and to be honest its an administrative nightmare trying to keep track of each individual membership according to the month each individual student has signed up. We simply cannot do this as the volume of students continues to grow and it also depends on when in the year the student signs up. Currently sign ups in February or March will be due on the 1st of Jan 2021 but if you were to sign up in December 2020 then membership for 2021 would be included as you are joining in the final month of 2020. Annual membership is then £29.99 for each year due the 1st to cover the students registration and insurance for that year.

11. When you initially sign up as a member its not mandatory for you to choose the membership offer if you already have or wish to source your own uniform and equipment.

12. Students MUST wear their uniforms to lessons including belt, no exceptions.

13. We will always try and work with students and parents as much as we can but we must insist that you follow our rules and regulations as a member of the dojo.

14. Students are expected to learn and put in as much effort as possible to progress in their training.

15. Abusive or antisocial behaviour is not tolerated in the dojo at all! Especially around the students! You will be asked to leave if there is violent behaviour of any kind. It's the number one rule! The Dojo is a safe space for the students and we conform to child safeguarding regulations set out by the NSPCC with the Shadow Warriors.

16. We are an open book at Axis Martial Arts. If you have any questions just ask, as long as it doesn't breach GDPR or student confidentiality we are happy to help.

17. No weapons in the Dojo! Students are not permitted to bring in anything that's dangerous. All equipment is provided at Axis Martial Arts and training with weapons should only ever be done under the supervision of a qualified and insured martial arts instructor. If a student is caught with a offensive weapon they will have it confiscated and reported. Carrying knives doesn't protect you, It puts you in more danger!

18. If a student decides to leave the dojo then they must provide notice of two weeks prior to leaving. Fees are usually taken in advance at the start of each month so any outstanding fees for that month will be worked out according to the lessons already attended and the notice period given before leaving. Fees are still charged during the notice period. The student will then be removed from the system and charged/refunded accordingly.

19. Private lessons must be booked in and attended at our venue or a private residence within a 10 mile radius. This is mainly due to time restraints on travel times between private lessons. 1 hour travel time then a 1 hour private lesson with another hour return time is a 3 hour chunk of the day or three private lessons if you come to us. We appreciate your understanding on this matter.

20. Birthday parties are available upon request. Contact us for more details.

21. Respect your instructors (Sensei/Shidoshi). Please don't message us at 3am or get frustrated if we can't respond instantly. We wish to support you in your training but all of our instructors do have personal lives as well. Try to keep contact within our operating hours 9am to 10pm

22. Criminality - Simply put this is unacceptable in any form. Any serious conviction will automatically bar you from training. If your involved with criminal behaviour this could effect your training. You represent the dojo in our local community and we want to uphold a good positive image not a bad one. Violence will get you banned very quickly, We are warriors not thugs.

23. Mental Health - We are an inclusive organisation, everyone is welcome regardless of their mental health issue. Training can help with many conditions such as anxiety and helps the students develop confidence and self esteem. Only conditions that make the individual dangerous and or unpredictable will prevent them from training.

24. All jewellery must be removed before training starts. This is to prevent injury from snagging jewellery. Students are responsible for their own possessions, We do not accept liability for possessions lost or stolen so don't bring valuables into the dojo.

25. Parents have requested that we take more photos of the Real Mini Ninjas and Shadow Warriros during lesson times. Our safeguarding policy extends to social media and promotional material so we will always get parents to sign a disclosure agreement to use pictures for social media and promotional purposes.

26. On the rare occasion that we close for a brief period of time all students and parents will be informed two weeks before closure. Fees if taken will be refunded for missed lessons. This is extremely rare, it's only happened once in 10 years.

27. Respect your training partner (Uke), Don't try to break each other. They are in the dojo to learn just like you.

28. Stay focused during lessons. You must keep your focus from the moment you step onto the mat to the moment you leave at the end of the class.

29. Don't mess around with training equipment, a blunt sword (Iaito) can be just as lethal as sharp one. Have respect when using weaponry or you will hurt yourself or someone else.

30. Ask to leave the mat. If you need water or a break for any reason inform your instructor, This is so they know where you are for your own safety.

31. Bullying is unacceptable in any form. Poisonous personalities and politics cause issues, be nice!

32. Keep it in the dojo - Don't play fight and show off! Especially with weaponry! Someone will inevitably get hurt.