Sussex Sword Academy
Menu
  • Welcome
  • About us
    • Our background
    • Joining us
      • What to expect
      • Fees & membership
      • Uniform & equipment
    • Ready to come along?
    • FAQ
    • Other information
      • Code of conduct
      • Grading system
  • Martial styles
    • Broadsword
    • Longsword
    • Rapier
    • Unarmed
  • Contact
    • Location
    • Demos and seminars
  • Links
    • Welcome – New
    • Suppliers

Grading system

Home / Grading system

Grading system

 

The Sussex Sword Academy (SSA) grading system is a blend of the number of sessions that have been attended as well as the ability of the student. Moving into an assessed grade (Free Scholar and above) is done with agreement from both the student and the instructor.

All SSA grades continue to learn and as such are always considered students. Any with the rank of Instructor carry additional duties, responsibilities, requirements and insurance as part of that role.

Beginner (usually the 1st to 25th session)

The goal of this grade is to introduce the foundations of the system and develop the student to the point of being ready and able to demonstrate sufficient aptitude in the training to use the techniques safely and achieve the next grade of Novice.

Requirements to qualify as a Beginner

      • Beginner is the initial rank in the SSA and as such has no initial requirements.
      • Any issues that might affect the safeguarding of the students should be passed on to the instructors before training commences. Any such information that is confided will be kept in confidence. This is the case at all levels of attendance.
      • For hygiene reasons the SSA do not provide groin and/or chest protective equipment for students. As soon as is reasonably practical students should purchase their own and make use of it in lessons and any sparring that they might enter into.

Awards& insignia

      • Each Beginner is awarded an SSA metal pin badge upon becoming an official member.
      • To become a member the student must have agreed by signature to abide by the SSA Code of Conduct, selected their weapon form to train in, be accepted by the Instructors of that form and have paid for their membership.

Items required for this grade

      • The SSA will provide the necessary equipment and there is no requirement for the student to provide their own (except as mentioned in previous levels). This doesn’t preclude the student from doing so should they wish and advice on suitable items must be obtained from the instructors. To ensure the safety of all any weapons, jackets or masks must be approved by the instructor before they can be used in class or SSA sparring

Training as a Beginner

      1. Basic techniques. Know the salute, demonstrate ability to move out of and return to basic stance/guard position, demonstrate ability to move freely and on balance, demonstrate knowledge of weak and strong of placement, (for armed forms) demonstrate knowledge of construction of weapon, demonstrate knowledge of safety code of practice (what protection to wear, adherence to word ‘Hold’, aware of their surroundings, to note if their exercise partner is in danger etc.)
      2. Single weapon. Demonstrate in exercises, that they are able to defend themselves adequately and that they are able to use a variety of different defences. Demonstrate in exercises that they are able to attack in time at measured tempo with appropriate and not undue force. Be able to demonstrate some knowledge of the historical background of their weapon/combat form.

Progression from Beginner

      • Once they have demonstrated the above to a level that their instructors deem appropriate they become a Novice.
      • Details of what is required is listed in the following Novice grade section. This can be both an ongoing assessment and/or a 1-to-1 with the instructor to ensure all requirements are met or whether more experience is needed.

Novice (usually the 26th to 50th session)

At the rank of Novice the students’ understanding of the foundations of the system allow them to progress to an understanding of the principles and the governors of the fight. The ability to demonstrate sufficient aptitude in the training is what allows the progression to the next grade of Scholar.

Requirements to qualify as a Novice

      • To qualify as a Novice their instructor must deem that the student has dedicated sufficient time and demonstrated sufficient aptitude and advancement in the training outlined in the Beginner grade section (points 1 & 2).
      • Any issues that might affect the safeguarding of the students should be passed on to the instructors before training continues. Any such information that is confided will be kept in confidence. This is the case at all levels of attendance.
      • The student must have purchased their own suitable groin and/or chest protection for use whilst sparring and in lessons.

Awards & insignia

      • Each Novice is awarded an SSA kite patch upon successfully grading to Novice. This patch is to be attached to the students fencing jacket (when purchased) on their lead shoulder.

Items required for this grade

      • All items listed in the attained previous grades
      • The SSA is able provide the other necessary equipment and whilst there is no technical requirement for the student to provide their own, it is important to understand that progress to the next grade (Scholar) does require the student to have their own equipment, specifically suitable
        • Mask
        • White Jacket
        • Gloves
        • Appropriate groin and chest protection
      • Thus, we advise the ongoing accumulation of the necessary personal kit as part of the journey through the grade(s). Advice on suitable items must be obtained from the instructors. To ensure the safety of all any weapons, jackets or masks must be approved by the instructor before they can be used in class or SSA sparring

Training as a Novice

Must demonstrate during classes that they are safe in defence to lightly free fence without danger to themselves or their fencing partner.

      1. Demonstrate ability to free fence effectively and safely in same weapon form.
      2. Demonstrate knowledge of the governors – placement, timing, measure & judgement.
      3. Demonstrate ability to free fence effectively and safely against at least one other weapon form.

Progression from Novice

      • Once they have demonstrated the above to a level that their instructors deem appropriate they become a Scholar.
      • Details of what is required is listed in the following Scholar grade section.
      • This can be both an ongoing assessment and/or a 1-to-1 with the instructor to ensure all requirements are met or whether more experience is needed.

Scholar (usually 51st to 150th session)

At the rank of Scholar the students should have an understanding of the principles and the governors of the fight and how to apply them to their own play. Such that if they fail to defend an attack they are able to understand what principles were breached and if they have a successful attack what principles were breached by their opponent.

Requirements to qualify as a Scholar

      • To qualify as a Scholar their instructor must deem that the student has dedicated sufficient time and demonstrated sufficient aptitude and advancement in the training outlined in the previous grade sections (points 1-5).
      • Any issues that might affect the safeguarding of the students should be passed on to the instructors before training continues. Any such information that is confided will be kept in confidence. This is the case at all levels of attendance.
Awards & insignia
      • Each Scholar is awarded an SSA flag patch upon successfully grading to Scholar. This patch is to be attached to the students fencing jacket on their non lead shoulder.

Items required for this grade

      • All items listed in the attained previous grades
      • Their own personal mask, jacket, gloves and required groin and chest protection
      • The SSA can provide the necessary weapon for the student during this gradebut it is important to understand that progress to the next grade (Free Scholar) does require them to have their own suitable weapon to complete their basic kit.

Training as a Scholar

      1. Demonstrate ability in free fence to use at least one companion weapon safely and effectively. Be able to explain how it should be used and some knowledge of its construction and history.
      2. Demonstrate an ability to judge a competitive assault: who was hit, how, when.
      3. Demonstrate a knowledge of the understanding of a successful or unsuccessful assault, e.g. wrong measure, tempo etc.

Progression from Scholar

      • The development undergone in Scholar is to prepare the student for the transition to Free Scholar, where they are recognised as a senior student.
      • Once an appointed panel of instructors deem that they have demonstrated the above to a suitable level they become a Free Scholar. Details of what is required is listed in the following Free Scholar grade section.

Free Scholar – (usually 151st to 250th/350th session depending on selected path)

At the rank of Free Scholar the students should have a full understanding of their weapon form. In essence they should know the answers to the questions, why, how, when, where and what of a bout in that discipline. They should know the history of that weapon and its related forms, knowledge of the historic masters who helped develop that form, and be able to physically demonstrate safe technical proficiency in keeping with the system and a comprehensive understanding of its use. Being able to teach this knowledge is not a requirement at this level.

Requirements to qualify as a Free Scholar

      • Free Scholar is an examined grading where the student will be assessed by a panel of instructors on the students understanding, progress and skills in the system as well as the quality of their practice of the form in freeplay.
      • As such both the instructor and the student must agree that the student is ready for the grading. Then the grading process is initiated when the student makes the formal request to their instructor.
      • The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge of all requirements at points (1-8) and a thorough understanding of their chosen weapon system including an ability to describe the principles of defence in operation at set moments of play.
      • Any issues that might affect the safeguarding of the students should be passed on to the instructors before training continues. Any such information that is confided will be kept in confidence. This is the case at all levels of attendance.

Awards & insignia

      • The student will receive an SSA Free Scholar flag badge, to be worn on their fencing jacket on the lead shoulder.
      • The student will be awarded green garter ribbons.
      • As a senior student they may be asked by the instructor to assist in supervised selected drills for some students.

Items required for this grade

      • All items listed in the attained previous grades
      • Their own suitable weapon

Training as a Free Scholar

Training for the Free Scholar is based around what progression they intend to follow next. If they wish to follow the instructor path then their next grade would be Assistant Instructor (after 250 sessions) whilst if they do not wish to follow the instructor route then their next grade would be Senior Scholar (after 350 sessions).

Pursuing the Assistant Instructor path requires the student to work with their instructor to develop the progression of other students. By doing so they develop new insights, learn new skills and revisit their own learning thus far to gain greater understanding of their own progress to date and how it might help others in their progression.

The Senior Scholar path is for those that do not wish to teach but wish to focus on being the best martial practitioners that they can be. As such the requirement is intensive and broad with Senior Scholars being required to be equally gifted in their understanding and use of three separate weapons forms either from the styles offered by the SSA and/or the inclusion of other forms from their own study.

Progression from Free Scholar

      • The development undergone in Free Scholar is to prepare the student for the transition to either Assistant Instructor and/or Senior Scholar.
      • Both pathways require assessment by an appointed panel of instructors. Once they deem that the student has demonstrated relevant progression to a suitable level they become a are awarded the new rank. Details of what is required is listed in the following Assistant Instructor and Senior Scholar grade sections.

Senior Scholar– (This is a large undertaking and would require  351stsessions onward)

At the rank of Senior Scholar the student should have a full understanding of three weapon forms to the equivalent level of Free Scholar in one weapon form.

Requirements to qualify as a Senior Scholar

      • The student can request to be tested for the Senior Scholar level. This will be at the discretion of the instructors.
      • The candidate must be able to demonstrate control, knowledge, history and use of 3 weapon systems.
      • Any issues that might affect the safeguarding of the students should be passed on to the instructors before training continues. Any such information that is confided will be kept in confidence. This is the case at all levels of attendance.

Awards & insignia

      • The student will receive an SSA Senior Scholar flag badge, to be worn on their fencing jacket on the lead shoulder.
      • As a senior student they may be asked by the instructor to assist in supervised selected drills for some students.

Items required for this grade

      • All items listed in the attained previous grades

Training as a Free Scholar

      • The Free Scholar will ask for entry to two other weapon forms. They will not go back to the beginner level requirements in those weapon forms. Their knowledge of the principles and governors should allow for a an accelerated path and when their instructor in each weapon form considers they are ready they will undergo the Free Scholar examination in that form. When the student has achieved the rank of Free Scholar in three weapon forms they will be awarded the rank of Senior Scholar.

Progression from Free Scholar

      • This is the highest level within the SSA that isn’t a dedicated teaching role.
 
 

@2017 Sussex Sword Academy