Seven pupils from New Horizons School in St Leonards have successfully completed their first kickboxing grading under the watchful eye of Hastings Kickboxing Academy’s chief instructor Carl Denne.

This is the second group of pupils from the school to grade after completing nine weeks of intensive after-school training in preparation for the exam.

New Horizons School, currently rated outstanding by Ofsted inspectors is a school for children with emotional, mental health and social issues and gives its pupils every opportunity to strive and better themselves both emotionally and physically through a well structured curriculum in which physical education and outdoor education plays a big part.

The seven pupils who have just graded have been working extremely hard with PE teachers during after school enrichment clubs and through visits to HKA in readiness for their hour long grading assessment with Carl and coach Jenny Fry.

The pupils were put through their paces and were required to demonstrate a variety of techniques and skills as well as carry out a number of physical fitness exercises designed to test their fitness levels.

Carl said the pupils showed discipline and control under pressure and performed extremely well. All seven pupils passed the grading and were awarded with a certificate and red sash from Carl and Jenny who presented them to the pupils during the school’s end of term celebration assembly.

The successful pupils were: Ryan Marsden, Robert Wallis, Mason Miles, Ellis Harvey, Ben Hayes, Tiegan Smith and Harry Long

Staff at New Horizons congratulated the pupils on their achievements and thanked Carl and Jenny for their continued support of the pupils.

“Watching these children train their hardest, push themselves to their limits and focus on the task in hard not just for the hour’s grading but for the full nine weeks of the programme is extremely positive and we’re very happy to be a part of the syllabus at New Horizons” said Carl.

“Martial arts is about discipline and respect, concentration and controlled skills. More schools should do this as part of their working week,” he added

For more information about Hastings Kickboxing Academy and training with the team, or to book your free trial class at www.hastingskickboxing.co.uk contact Carl Denne on 07949 221946.