TJK Cheltenham

TJK Cheltenham: Jujutsu and self-defence classes in Gloucestershire

TJK Cheltenham is a Taijutsu Kai school of Japanese Jujutsu that runs self-defence and sports Jujutsu classes for children and adults in Cheltenham and Bourton. Children are accepted from age four upwards, and adults of all abilities train under a separate syllabus and in separate classes. The school describes its aim as making the world a safer place, one child at a time, and frames confidence as the core of personal protection.

Its teaching combines practical, reality-based self-defence with the competitive side of the art. Students can take part in Sport Jujutsu (Kumite), grappling and submission events, and grapple-and-strike formats.

What the syllabus covers

Taijutsu Kai teaches what it presents as a comprehensive Jujutsu syllabus. The school explains Jujutsu as a Japanese martial art originally developed by the samurai of feudal Japan to defeat an armed and armoured opponent, and notes that it is practised today both in traditional self-defence-oriented form and in modern sports forms. It also points out that techniques from Jujutsu underlie later disciplines such as Judo, Aikido, Sambo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts, and that these techniques are taught at TJK.

The curriculum brings together striking, throwing and ground techniques, so that students work on whatever skill a given situation requires. For younger students, the school states that classes teach children to detect danger, defuse difficult situations and physically defend themselves in an appropriate manner, and that the sessions channel active children in a structured and positive way.

Classes, ages and locations

The school reports 23 classes running from age four upwards, with separate provision for children and adults. Teaching takes place at three locations: Charlton Kings, Hatherley and Bourton on the Water.

Experience and association

TJK Cheltenham states that it has been teaching for over 26 years and has trained thousands of junior and adult students, figures it also rounds to 30 years of experience elsewhere on the site. It belongs to the Taijutsu Kai association, which it says celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2020 and has been in operation for over 45 years. The association's president is Sensei Ross Iannoccaro, holder of an 8th degree black belt in Jujutsu, who teaches throughout the UK and Europe. The school also cites traditional links with Japan through Soke Tanaka, who holds a number of Soke positions in Japanese martial arts schools.

Safeguarding and instructor credentials

According to the school, all instructors are DBS/police checked and safeguarding trained, and it carries public and personal injury insurance for all students. It states that its instructors work closely with the Police and keep up to date with current self-defence techniques, and that numerous police officers train and teach within the organisation. The school presents its syllabus as comprehensive and structured, with guided personal development and traditional formal roots intended to develop discipline and respect.

Costs and trial lessons

The site advertises a free, no-obligation trial lesson for first-time students of all ages, after which classes are listed at £9 each.