Harry, was a broken 9-year-old.

This is his story. From Bullied to Brilliant. 

Harry was a nine-year-old boy facing a tough time at school. Bullying had become a daily ordeal for him, so much so that he had only managed four full days of attendance in the last two terms.

This was not just affecting Harry, but also causing significant stress for his mother, who was under pressure from the school and social services due to his poor attendance.

Harry’s distress was palpable, and he experienced panic attacks every time his mother insisted he go to school. She was at her wits end, and his situation had gone on for months for months without a resolution in sight.

Desperate for a solution, Harry’s mother eventually found Team Black Belt Karate in Solihull (just a quick aside, you don’t have to be desperate to join us ).

She brought Harry to our dojo, hoping it might help him. On their first visit, Harry’s mother confided in me about their struggles. Recognising the severity of the situation, I decided to pivot our lesson plan that evening to focus on an anti-bullying workshop.

In his first Karate session, Harry learned the self-defence tactics and strategies to deal with bullies which would change the course of his schooling.

More importantly, during the class, he became louder and his movements much bigger, you could see his confidence begin to climb as he started to feel empowered.

At the start of Harry’s third week, his mother approached me, "I just want to let you know that Harry is back in school and has been every day since the first lesson."He is so much more confident, and the teachers say he is a different child. His panic attacks have disappeared, and he is much more positive about school. I just wanted to let you know and to say thank you”.

The transformation in Harry was nothing short of remarkable. He had a newfound sense of confidence and self-esteem through our classes and I’m happy to say that his mother now enthusiastically recommends our program, grateful for the positive change it has brought to their lives.

At Team Black Belt, our mission is to inspire confidence and raise self-esteem in children. Harry's story is a testament to the power of our program.

Through friendly, high-energy, and motivational karate classes, we help children discover their potential and build resilience.

About Team Black Belt

Team Black Belt is not just a karate school; it's a place where we combine the traditional Japanese style of Wado Ryu with modern, upbeat Western teaching methods. Our classes are fun, high-energy, and designed to be welcoming to all.

We aim to build a child's confidence and self-esteem through achievements in karate and self-defence techniques. We incorporate games to develop coordination, balance, and quick reactions, making learning effective and enjoyable.

We offer a range of classes tailored to different age groups:

• Panda Tots (3-5 years): Interactive sessions with a parent, focusing on developing key motor skills and coordination.

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• Little Dragons (5-6 years): Karate-based activities that promote positive development, confidence, and listening skills.

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• Karate Kids 1 (7-8 years) and Karate Kids 2 (9-10 years): Classes designed to teach self-defence, inspire confidence, and prepare children for the challenges they may face as they grow.

Our classes run Monday to Thursday, with special sessions for different age groups, and alongside our fabulous Saturday morning class for pre-schoolers, called Panda Tots, we now have new Little Dragons and Karate Kid programmes.

For more information about our classes and how to join, click here.

At Team Black Belt, we are committed to making a positive impact on children's lives, helping them grow into confident, motivated, and well-rounded individuals.

If you’re looking for a supportive and engaging environment for your child, we invite you to join our Team Black Belt family.

If you're interested in seeing the positive impact Team Black Belt can have on your child, please visit our website or get in touch with us to schedule an introductory lesson.

We're here to support and inspire your child's journey to confidence and success.

Sensei Mike