YOUR GRADING JOURNEY
From white belt to black belt, what you need to know
Grading day is one of the most exciting moments in a karate student’s journey. It’s your chance to show everything you’ve worked hard for — your technique, your discipline, and your dedication. At Pendle Karate, our grading system has been specially designed to help every student grow at the right pace and truly earn each new belt.
Our unique grading system
Our grading system was created especially for Pendle Karate by our Chief Instructor, Sensei Khurshid, and has been officially recognised and accepted by the British Combat Karate Association (BCKA). It’s designed with our students in mind — rewarding hard work, consistency, and real skill development at every stage.
Gradings are divided into three age groups:
5 to 12 years
13 to 15 years
16 + years
The belt pathway
Here’s a breakdown of each grading stage — including the minimum number of lessons needed and time frames involved. Remember, these are minimums: the final decision on whether you’re ready to grade always rests with Sensei Khurshid.
White to Red Belt
Minimum 10 lessons required before grading.
Red toPurple Belt
Minimum 20 lessons – approximately 3 to 4 months training.<./p>
Purple to Brown Belt
Approximately 6 to 7 months of consistent training required.
Brown Belt 1st Kyu (3 tabs) to Black Belt
A minimum of 12 months of continuous training is required. This is the final and most demanding stage.
Training once vs. twice a week
The more you train, the faster you progress, it really is that simple! Students who train twice a week will reach the minimum lesson count in roughly half the time compared to those who train once a week and can progress quicker.
Meeting the minimum lesson requirements is a great achievement and an important milestone, but it’s just the starting point. It’s Sensei Khurshid who will decide when each student is truly ready to grade. This ensures every student who steps forward on grading day has genuinely earned their next belt, and can be truly proud of what they’ve accomplished.
, Training once vs. twice a week
The more you train, the faster you progress, it really is that simple! Students who train twice a week will reach the minimum lesson count in roughly half the time compared to those who train once a week and can progress quicker.
Meeting the minimum lesson requirements is a great achievement and an important milestone, but it’s just the starting point. It’s Sensei Khurshid who will decide when each student is truly ready to grade. This ensures every student who steps forward on grading day has genuinely earned their next belt, and can be truly proud of what they’ve accomplished.