Most or you would probably not have actively 'checked up' on those who are purveying karate. Many people are happy to attend a dojo and assume they are getting a high quality of instruction by those who teach them; unfortunately this is not always the case.

As a student or parent you should ensure that the karate, which you or your child is being taught, is of a good standard. It's so easy to continually train at or send your child to a dojo which has no concept or understanding of modern day karate and how it should be taught, let alone the insurance to cover them or the health and safety knowledge to support a martial arts class.

Over the past 50 years, karate has changed dramatically to encompass health & safety, new methods of teaching, regulatory bodies, insurances etc. Due to the immense amount of changes, it is very important that karate clubs keep in-line and up to date with the latest methodologies and stipulations. This is often done with Affiliations and Governing Bodies.

Ataru are members of the Japanese Karate Association - England (JKAE) who are directly affiliated to the Japanese Karate Association (JKA)

With these affiliations and memberships, Ataru are bound by strict rules and procedures, which are designed to protect you or your child as a student or parent and to ensure you receive the highest quality of karate instruction.

As a JKA-E instructor, Sensei Thomson has been assessed by an Association examiner which comprises of teaching techniques, documentation and health & safety assessments.

As well as this assessment, Ataru instructors regularly attend JKAE courses along with training at other JKA-E clubs, to ensure that the karate which is being taught at Ataru, is up to date.

Ataru Shotokan Karate Club