Welcome Pack
Essential information for new members and families, including classes, fees, equipment, club arrangements, safety and safeguarding.
Welcome to St Martins Junior Karate Club
Welcome to St Martins Junior Karate Club. We provide friendly, structured karate training for children and young people aged 5 to 18.
The St Martins Junior Karate Club welcome pack gives new members and families the key information they need before starting training.
New members and their parents or carers are always welcome to ask questions or speak to an instructor if they need further information or an individual adjustment.
Your first two lessons are free
New members can attend their first two lessons free of charge.
There is no obligation to join after the trial lessons. Please contact us before attending so that we know when to expect you and can make sure the most suitable class is available.
Class times
Ages 5–10
- Monday: 6:00–7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 6:00–7:00 pm
Ages 10-18
- Monday: 6:00–7:30 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00–8:30 pm
During school holidays, both sessions run from 6:00–7:30 pm.
There is no training on bank holidays. The club also closes for approximately two weeks over Christmas.
Where a child is around the age boundary, instructors will decide which session is most suitable based on age, experience, confidence and individual needs.
Where we train
Slyne with Hest Memorial Hall
Hanging Green Lane
Lancaster
LA2 6JB
Training takes place in the main hall.
Parents and carers are welcome to watch. Wherever possible, spectators should watch from the stage so that the training area, exits and walkways remain clear.
Spectators must not coach, call instructions, interrupt or otherwise interfere with the teaching of the class.
What to expect at your first lesson
Please arrive a few minutes before the class begins so that you have time to meet the instructor and ask any questions.
A first lesson will normally include:
- an introduction to the club and training area;
- an age-appropriate warm-up;
- basic karate movements and techniques;
- simple drills or activities;
- clear safety instructions; and opportunities to ask questions and take breaks.
Activities are adapted to the member’s age, experience, confidence and ability. Nobody should feel pressured to continue an activity that feels painful, unsafe or uncomfortable.
A parent or carer must remain for at least the first lesson.
What to wear and bring
For the first two lessons, members should wear comfortable sports clothing that allows safe movement.
Please bring:
- a bottle of water;
- any inhaler or emergency medication that may be required;
- any information the instructor needs to know about an injury, medical condition, disability or support need.
Long hair should be tied back. Jewellery should be removed before training wherever possible. Valuables should be kept to a minimum.
Karate suits and the club badge
Once a member has settled into training, they will be expected to obtain a karate suit, known as a gi.
Members may purchase a suitable gi from another supplier. The club also sells gis at a discounted price compared with the recommended retail price.
Gis supplied through the club include the official St Martins club badge. The club badge is only available directly from us.
Speak to an instructor before buying a gi if you need advice about the correct size or type.
Protective equipment
Protective equipment becomes compulsory when a member begins sparring.
The exact equipment required will depend on the type of training and the member’s age and experience. Instructors will explain what is needed before a member starts sparring.
Suitable equipment is available from the club at discounted prices compared with the recommended retail price.
Members must not take part in sparring without the required protective equipment and instructor approval.
Training fees
Monthly training fees are:
- £25 per month for training once a week
- £39 per month for training twice a week
Training fees are collected by GoCardless on the 1st of each month. (or shortly thereafter)
The club runs throughout the year, apart from bank holidays and the two-week Christmas closure. Monthly fees reserve a member’s place and are not normally refunded or reduced for missed sessions caused by holidays, illness or other personal commitments.
Where a member cannot train for an extended period, fees may be paused by prior agreement.
Annual membership
Annual membership costs £20 and is due each March.
The annual membership fee includes the member’s insurance.
New members joining after March will be told when their first membership payment is due.
Licence and Syllabus Books
Your first licence book and syllabus book are provided free of charge when you join the club.
Please keep both books safe, as they are used to record important membership, grading and progress information.
If either book is lost or damaged and needs to be replaced, the following charges apply:
- Replacement licence book: £5
- Replacement syllabus book: £5
Leaving the club
Parents, carers or adult members should tell the club as soon as possible if they intend to leave.
One calendar month’s notice should normally be given so that future GoCardless payments can be cancelled correctly.
Please do not cancel a payment without first contacting the club, as an outstanding payment may still be due for the notice period.
Attendance and absences
Members are encouraged to attend regularly and arrive in time for the start of the class.
Please tell the club where practical if a member will miss a lesson, particularly where the absence affects a grading, event or other planned activity.
Members will not be punished for:
- making mistakes; asking for help;
- needing a reasonable adjustment;
- taking a break;
- stopping an activity that feels unsafe.
Repeated unexplained absence may affect progress and grading readiness.
Gradings and progression
Gradings are usually held on a weekend morning, approximately two or three times each year. Families will receive plenty of advance notice.
Standard grading fees are £10, including the new belt and certificate.
Dan (black belt) gradings cost more—usually around £100—because external examiners are required.
Members are entered for grading when instructors believe they are ready. Readiness is based on factors including:
- attendance; effort and attitude;
- conduct;
- technical development;
- confidence and control;
- ability to perform the required syllabus safely.
There is no automatic entitlement to grade based only on time spent at a particular belt.
Membership and training fees must be fully up to date before grading.
Behaviour and safety
All members are expected to:
- treat instructors, other members, families and visitors respectfully;
- listen carefully and follow safety instructions;
- use karate techniques with control;
- stop immediately when instructed or when a partner asks to stop;
- avoid bullying, threatening, humiliating or deliberately hurting another person;
- tell an instructor about pain, injury, illness or concern;
- use equipment safely;
- keep mobile phones away during training unless needed for an agreed reason;
- follow the club’s Codes of Conduct.
Unsafe behaviour may result in the activity being stopped while the matter is addressed.
Membership and training fees must be fully up to date before grading.
Parents and carers
Parents and carers play an important role in supporting a safe and positive club environment.
Parents and carers should:
- support their child positively;
- remain for at least the first lesson;
- keep emergency contacts, medical details and consent choices up to date;
- tell an instructor about any relevant injury, condition or support need;
- follow the club’s watching and collection arrangements;
- avoid coaching, criticising or shouting instructions from the side;
- treat instructors, members and other families respectfully;
- raise questions or concerns privately;
- avoid approaching or disciplining another child.
Parents and carers are welcome to continue watching normal classes, subject to venue space, safeguarding considerations and respectful behaviour.
Wherever possible, spectators should remain on the stage.
Arrival and collection
Parents and carers are responsible for making suitable arrangements for their child to travel to and from training.
Children may leave the club independently at the end of a session where prior written permission has been provided by a parent or carer.
The decision about whether a child is able to travel home independently rests with the parent or carer, taking into account the child’s age, maturity, distance from the venue and local circumstances.
Members leaving independently must tell an instructor before they leave. The club may require collection where illness, injury, severe weather, darkness, a safeguarding concern or another circumstance makes independent departure unsuitable.
Written permission may be withdrawn or changed at any time by the parent or carer by notifying the club in writing, including by email.
The club must be told if someone different will collect a child. An instructor may ask for confirmation before releasing a child.
Once a child has left the venue independently, responsibility for their journey home rests with their parent or carer.
Changing arrangements
Members are encouraged to arrive already wearing their training clothing or gi.
The accessible toilet may be used as a lockable, single-person changing space where necessary.
Adults and children must not change together in the same space. No photography or filming is permitted in toilets or changing areas.
Speak to an instructor if a member needs assistance, a reasonable adjustment or an alternative arrangement.
Photography, video and social media
Photography and video consent is collected through the membership process.
- celebrate achievements;
- promote classes and events;
- share club news;
- update the website and social-media pages.
Public posts normally use first names only. Personal details that could identify a child’s school, address, routine or private circumstances will not be published.
No photography or recording is permitted in toilets or changing areas.
Parents and carers may photograph their own child where appropriate, but should avoid including other children without permission.
Any concern about an image, recording or online post should be raised promptly with the club.
First aid and medical information
Parents, carers and members must tell the club about:
- injuries;
- medical conditions;
- allergies;
- medication;
- disabilities;
- additional needs;
- anything else that may affect safe participation.
Emergency medication, including inhalers, must remain accessible during training.
A first-aid kit is available at the venue. An AED is located outside the main entrance, with the cabinet code available through 999 during an emergency.
Accidents and significant incidents are recorded where appropriate.
Parents and carers may photograph their own child where appropriate, but should avoid including other children without permission.
Any suspected concussion means immediate removal from training for the rest of the day. There is no same-day return to training, and appropriate medical advice should be obtained.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding and member welfare are central to the club.
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Paul Turner
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Chris Haggan
A child, parent, carer or member may speak to either safeguarding lead or another trusted instructor.
Safeguarding concerns should be raised privately and should not be discussed publicly or posted in Facebook comments.
No one should investigate a safeguarding concern themselves or promise to keep a disclosure secret.
Call 999 where someone is in immediate danger or urgent help is required.
Contacting the club
For routine questions, absences or attendance updates, Facebook Messenger or email are normally best.
Facebook: facebook.com/smjkc
Email: info@stmartinsjuniorkarateclub.co.uk
For urgent or time-sensitive matters:
Paul Turner: 07984 912668
Chris Haggan: 07739 669326
You can also use the website Contact page.
Questions, complaints and concerns
Routine questions can normally be discussed with an instructor.
A complaint about club service, conduct or a decision should be raised through the Complaints and Appeals process.
A concern about a child’s welfare, inappropriate adult behaviour or another safeguarding matter should be reported through the safeguarding arrangements.
In an emergency, call 999.
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