Eight classes. 240 children. Thirty minutes at a time.
On Thursday 24 September, Samantha Skillcorn arrived at Knaphill Junior School with coaches Abbas Khan and Hayden Scruton for a full morning of judo workshops.
The schedule was simple: welcome a new class, give them a first introduction to judo, then do it again. By the end of the visit, 240 children had taken part across eight 30-minute sessions.
But the number that mattered most was not 240.
It was one.
One first impression of judo.
For many of the children, this was the first time they had encountered the sport. They did not arrive knowing how a judo class works, whether they would enjoy it or whether they would feel confident enough to join in. Our job was to make that first step feel welcoming, active and worth taking.
A first introduction should feel like an invitation
Thirty minutes is not long. It is certainly not long enough to teach everything that judo can offer.
It is long enough, however, to show a child that judo is not about standing still, being shouted at or needing to be brilliant immediately. It is about moving with purpose, listening, working around other people and finding the confidence to have a go.
That was the focus for Sam, Abbas and Hayden throughout the day. Each group was given an energetic, age-appropriate introduction built around simple judo-based activities and clear coaching. The aim was not to turn a school workshop into a full club class. The aim was to let every child leave knowing that judo can be challenging, structured and genuinely fun.
What we hope children took away from the session
Some children will remember the movement. Some will remember a game or challenge. Some will simply remember that they enjoyed being active with their classmates.
We hope they also took away something more useful: the feeling that trying something new does not have to feel intimidating.
Judo gives children repeated chances to practise skills that matter well beyond the mat. They learn to pay attention, take turns, use self-control, respect other people’s space and keep trying when an activity does not work first time. None of that needs a lecture. It can be learned through a well-led, purposeful session in which children are encouraged to join in and support one another.
That is why we care so much about the quality of a first experience. A child who feels included is far more likely to stay curious. A child who discovers they can try something unfamiliar is already learning a valuable lesson.
The feedback that meant the most
We were proud to hear Knaphill Junior School staff speak so positively about the way Sam, Abbas and Hayden worked with the children and led the sessions.
That matters to us. A good school workshop needs energy, but it also needs organisation, clear boundaries and coaches who can engage a whole class without losing the purpose of the session. Every child deserves to feel noticed, safe to join in and able to enjoy the experience at their own starting point.
It was a strong reflection of the coaching team and of the values Fighting Fitness Judo wants children to experience from their very first session.
If your child came home talking about judo
The school visit was only the introduction. The next step is for children who enjoyed it to see what a regular judo class feels like.
Our Woking dojo at Baltic House is around five minutes by car from Knaphill Junior School in typical conditions. It is where children can take that first spark of interest and turn it into a regular activity that builds confidence, friendships, fitness and practical judo skills over time.
Every child received a Knaphill school taster invitation. It begins with a free trial class, so your family can see the dojo, meet the coaching team and let your child try a proper session before making any decision. The school-taster page sets out the current offer and the enrolment benefits available if you decide to join afterwards.
Did your child enjoy the workshop? Claim your Knaphill school taster pass and choose a class time at our Woking dojo.
Watch: Sam explains the school taster invitation
Here is a short video from Sam explaining the next step for Knaphill families.
A short introduction to the Knaphill school taster invitation from Samantha Skillcorn.
Knaphill Infant School, we are coming next
We do not want younger siblings to feel as though they have missed out. Next week, Fighting Fitness Judo will visit Knaphill Infant School to deliver introductory workshops there too.
We are looking forward to meeting more children from the Knaphill community and giving them the same positive first experience of judo. For families who decide to continue, the nearby Woking dojo is ready to welcome them.
What a school workshop can give pupils
For schools, a martial-arts workshop should be more than a novelty activity. It should be an organised, engaging experience that gives pupils a positive challenge and supports the things schools care about every day: listening, confidence, respectful behaviour, teamwork and physical activity.
That is the standard we aim for. We tailor the introduction to the children in front of us, keep the session purposeful and make sure the coaching team creates a positive atmosphere from the start.
If you are a teacher, school leader or parent governor interested in a Fighting Fitness Judo workshop for your school, we would be pleased to hear from you. Visit our contact page and tell us about your pupils, your timetable and what you would like the session to achieve.
Thank you to Knaphill Junior School for the welcome, and to every child who gave judo a go. We are proud of Sam, Abbas and Hayden, and excited to see which children take that first school-session experience into the dojo next.