Children & Teens Programme
School Term Time Classes | Ealing w5
Register now FOR YOUR CHILD’S 4-WEEK TRIAL FOR SEPTEMBER 2025.
For children from 8 to 15 years of age
(For ages 16+, please click here)
Building on the successful children’s programme taught by Cathy sensei at our north London sister dojo, Aikido of London, we are excited to launch our Ealing-based classes designed for young people aged 8 to 15. Our sessions offer a fun and structured way to learn Aikido while developing key life skills such as confidence, discipline, and physical coordination — all in a supportive, non-competitive environment.
Time: School term time, Mondays, 5:20pm – 6:20pm
Location: St Matthew’s Church Hall, North Common Rd, Ealing
Trial Fee: £40 for 4 weeks (pay the difference for the term fees if your child joins.)
- Please note that ALL children are required to complete the 4 week trial period before joining as a member. New trial intake at the start of each school half term.
- Uniform is not required for the trial classes. Sibling/ household discounts are available after the trial period.
Fees:
11 WEEK TERM: £70 half term or £110 full term
12 WEEK TERM: £75 half term or £120 full term.
AUTUMN 2025 DATES (12 week term):
What Aikido Offers
What better way to find out more about our children’s programme than to hear from the kids themselves? This is a podcast episode of Women Talk Budo, where some of the more experienced children Cathy sensei teaches in North London discuss their training.
Additional Information
- Those from age 16+ may progress to join the regular classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or when deemed ready.
- Supportive & progressive environment for all skill levels.
- Household/ sibling discount available after trials.
Meet the Instructors
Cathy Okada
Lead Instructor
Cathy sensei founded Gyodokan in September 2023 alongside Ivan Melo sensei. She teaches the adult's Aikido and weapons classes and leads both the children's programme and the junior kenshusei programme.
Fully enhanced DBS certified and first aid trained, Cathy sensei has worked with children and teenagers since 2012 in schools as a music teacher, before transitioning to focusing her efforts more fully on Aikido instruction and more recently the establishment of Gyodokan.
She has been teaching a successful children's programme in North London at Aikido of London since the summer of 2023.
James Nicholls
Junior Kenshusei/ Assistant Instructor
James started training Aikido in 2023 under the instruction of Ismail Hasan sensei at Gyodokan's sister dojo in Archway (Aikido of London), joining Gyodokan after its opening in the same year.
James has also visited Japan and trained in Tokyo and Kyoto, including Aikido Hombu Dojo. Additionally, James has taken up Iaido, is learning Japanese, and has a deep interest in Budo and Japanese traditional culture & history. Outside the dojo, he enjoys skiing, sailing and is working to achieve a Private Pilot's Licence.
James is a Gyodokan junior Kenshusei (teaching apprentice). He is first aid qualified and assists in the delivery of the youth classes under the guidance and mentorship of the senior instructors.
Contact
St Matthew's Church Hall, North Common Road, Ealing W5 2QA (no mail by post)
Hours
Mondays
6:30pm-7pm: Zazen
7:10pm-8:30pm Aikido (Adults)
Tuesdays:
7pm-8pm: Aikido (Adults & 16+)
8pm-9pm: Weapons
Thursdays
7pm-8pm: Aikido (Adults & 16+)
8pm-9pm: Aikido (Adults)