Reviews of Farnham School of Tae Kwon Do

I have been training with Farnham School of Tae Kwon Do for nearly 3 years and I am proud to have been joined in training by my 6 year old son, and hopefully also next year, by my 5 year old daughter.

Farnham School of Tae Kwon Do provides an inspirational and supportive environment in which to learn a Martial Art. The School engenders a positive attitude to fitness and promotes a sporting endeavour which has universal appeal and which is accessible to a broad cross-section of the community across all age groups, and all ability levels. Farnham School of Tae Kwon Do also has an outstanding track record at tournaments at both National and International level with members winning numerous Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, including World Champion, in a broad variety of age categories and capabilities.

Farnham School of Tae Kwon Do collaborates closely with local schools in order to be on the same educational page and to reinforce positive messages about attainment of goals, self-discipline and striving for excellence. The School’s merit schemes award under 11s students with stars for demonstrating the Tenets of Tae Kwon Do: courtesy, integrity, indomitable spirit, self-control and perseverance.

The confidence building and supportive frame of reference that a Martial Art provides is the ideal environment for children to foster positive values such as respect for authority, consideration for others, empathy, hard work, dedication and strength of character. It is also tremendously fun.

When I first joined the club, I was perhaps a little older than most initiates. I had been a little concerned about the extent to which I could participate, whether I would be fit enough, physically capable etc. This proved to be unnecessary - the instruction is excellent, always encouraging you to do your best while being mindful of your limits. The friendly and supportive character of the club means that fellow students are also happy to help, all contributing to a very satisfactory and ongoing sense of achievement in a great environment.

Training is varied, with lessons having different focuses including fitness, self defence and technique. Regularly scheduled sessions include two classes, primarily (but not exclusively) split between the younger and older students. Outside of these are additional optional sessions and even the occasional seminar. There are also regular opportunities to grade (a test allowing you to demonstrate what you have learned and prove yourself ready for promotion) and to attend competitions around the country.

As other reviews mentioned, Tae Kwon Do espouses 5 tenets: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, indomitable spirit and self control. The club very much encourages adoption of these by students both inside and outside of training and several schemes are in place to encourage children to this end. Picking up on my enthusiasm for the sport, my daughter also joined and she now takes great pleasure in sharing her progress in such aspects of her training with teachers and friends at school.

A change in circumstance since joining means that I now enjoy a 30 odd minute trip each way to get to training, but I feel the atmosphere and quality of instruction more than justifies this. I believe that the discipline, confidence and self-defense bestowed by a martial art are of great benefit to all and would have no hesitation in recommending both the sport and the club to anyone who has even a vague interest in giving it a go!

I have been a member of the Farnham School of Tae Kwon Do since it formed in 2010 and have seen it go from strength to strength. Our members range from 5-55 and are from all walks in life, all of whom have improved and developed their skills and have achieved their next belt/s from beginner through to black belt. We train throughout the year including school holidays and hold extra training sessions and seminars which are regularly attended. Our members remain fantastic ambassadors for the town and continue to represent Farnham at national and international Tae Kwon Do competitions.

Our club has taken the Art into the wider community and have worked closely with after school clubs.

We have regular grading exams, as well as monthly and annual awards that recognise the members’ achievements and hard work. We also run an under 11’s Junior Merit Award scheme, endorsed by local schools and parents as well as our Special Team of Role Models (STORM) which recognises and develops leadership skills for the under 11’s. This has proved very successful, so a Junior Leadership Programme was recently launched for 12-16 year olds to develop life and leadership skills not just within the club, but also externally.

The club has an excellent ethos; not only encouraging its members to 'be the best they can be' but to live by the Art's tenets - Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Indomitable Spirit and Self Control, not just whilst training, but can carried with you for life outside of the training hall.

Farnham School of Tae Kwon Do now has over 80 members from the Farnham area, aged between 5 and 55. The club and its members have achieved national success, winning medals at a variety of national Tae Kwon Do tournaments. The club is now home to two English Champions.

It’s not only at national level that the club excels; it works hard to encourage an ethos of ‘Be The Best You Can Be’ amongst its members and teaches children and adults alike to embrace the tenets of Tae Kwon Do - courtesy, integrity, perseverance, indomitable spirit and self-control.

The club is inclusive of people from all backgrounds and also provides training to children with learning difficulties or behavioural problems. As well as its scheduled classes, the club is involved in teaching life skills to young children at after-school clubs. It also runs special training days, seminars and social events and strives to be an integral part of Farnham’s sporting community.

The club links with schools and parents to ensure not only pursuit of excellence within a sporting environment but the attainment of high standards of behaviour in every aspect of life.