Your Arts Award Journey

Turn your passion for Karate into a national qualification that recognises your creativity, leadership, and planning skills.

Boost Your University & Career Application

Arts Award is a range of national qualifications managed by Trinity College London in association with Arts Council England. It evaluates your creativity, communication, and planning skills developed through Karate.

UCAS Listing: Both Silver and Gold Awards are recognised on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). You can list them in the qualifications section of your UCAS application alongside your GCSEs and A-levels.
Gold Award (16 UCAS Points): The Gold Level 3 Certificate is worth 16 UCAS points. This is highly beneficial when applying for competitive university courses or degree apprenticeships.
Flexible Evidence: You don't just have to write! You can present your Karate evidence in any format you choose, including films, photographs, interviews, blogs, and performances.
Life Skills: Arts Award doesn't just assess your "belt level." It evaluates your ability to research, plan, and review—equipping you with essential life skills for education and future employment.
Visit the Arts Award Website

Choosing Your Level

Ages 5–9 | Intro

Discover

Core Requirement: Take part in arts activities, identify artists and their work, and share your discoveries with others.
In the Dojo: Participate in sessions, keep a diary of your favourite moves, and learn about the history of Master Funakoshi.

Ages 7–11 | Entry 3

Explore

Core Requirement: Collect evidence of your own practice, explore the work of artists, and experience the wider arts world.
In the Dojo: Record your Kata practice, research karate masters, and review a professional demonstration.

Ages 11–14 | Level 1

Bronze

Core Requirement: Explore the arts as a participant, review an event, research your "arts hero", and share a skill with others.
In the Dojo: Record a formal performance, review a seminar, and teach a basic block to a junior student.

Ages 14–16 | Level 2

Silver

Core Requirement: Plan an "Arts Challenge" for your own development, research careers, and complete a leadership project.
In the Dojo: Master a complex new Kata, research professional coaching pathways, and lead a club warm-up session.

Ages 16+ | Level 3

Gold Award

Core Requirement: Extend your own practice, get involved in the arts world (placements/volunteering), and deliver a significant leadership project.
In the Dojo: Organise a club event or workshop, interview senior Senseis, and create a project on the "art" of movement.

Standard: A Level | 16 UCAS Points

How You Build Your Evidence

What is TQT?

Total Qualification Time (TQT) is the approximate amount of time it takes to complete the award. It is made up of Guided Learning Hours (time spent with your Sensei in the dojo) and Independent Learning Hours (time spent working on your portfolio, researching, or practising at home).

1. Participating & Reviewing

  • Your Practice: Document your weekly training via sketches, photos, or video logs of your Kata progress.
  • Reviews: Watch a high-level Karate demonstration and review it based on its creativity and movement.

2. Researching the Arts

Connect with martial arts culture:

  • Sensei Interviews: Interview your instructors about their journey as martial artists.
  • Heritage: Explore the history and tradition of Shotokan Karate as a cultural art form.

3. Arts Leadership

Become a leader in the dojo:

  • Skill Sharing: Teach a lower grade a specific block or punch (required for Bronze).
  • Project Management: Lead a 15-minute warm-up (Silver) or organise a club event (Gold).

4. Your Responsibility

We coach you and provide dojo-based evidence, but please note:

  • The Portfolio: Students and parents are responsible for collating and completing the physical or digital portfolio.
  • Submission: Students must find and register with an external Registered Arts Award Centre (such as a school) for final moderation.

Important Information for Parents

Just Karate acts as a "Supporter" for the Arts Award. We are not a registered moderation centre. It is the responsibility of the student/parent to locate a centre for final submission and to ensure all learning is documented.

Ready to start your Arts Award journey?

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