Martial arts teacher gives back to local school children

A MARTIAL arts teacher in Frome, Shaun Takle, has been providing behaviour and self-esteem classes to pupils, free of charge, at Oakfield Academy. 

The sessions are designed to help pupils to learn to control their anger and emotions. as well as raising self-esteem. 

Shaun Takle said, “My club B-smart Martial Arts and Oakfield Academy have been working together to help a group of students. One group is for ‘challenging behaviour boys’ and the second group are slightly younger and have low self-esteem or are quite timid. 

“As well as that, I teach them self-protection skills that does not result in physical action. 

“I did a few terms last year which was paid for through funding. However, the funding ran out and  the classes had to stop. This was such a shame as I had made so much progress with the students.

“So instead of stopping,  and wasting all the hard work the students had put in, I offered my services to the school for free and now the lessons are still ongoing. 

“There is one student in particular who has made amazing progress. He has learning difficulties and has to have a mentor with him most of time. He was late for one lesson as he was upset because he said he wanted to be normal like other children. Because of this, I gave him a year’s free training with my club.

“Through all of this, I’d like to raise awareness so that hopefully other professionals, that could benefit kids,  can offer their services for free. Kids are the future of Frome so if we give them the help they need, we can only benefit from it.”

Mr Fowler, who helps run the sessions at Oakfield Academy said, “This will be Shaun’s second academic year with us here at Oakfield Academy. 

“He is currently offering two one-hour sessions to our pupils free of charge. The sessions have had a positive impact on pupils, helping to build resilience, self-esteem and confidence and also helping pupils to control their emotions better such as anger for example.

“Shaun also kindly offered one pupil a free set of sessions to continue to work outside of school at his locally-run sessions. 

“In closing, Shaun has had a very positive impact on our pupils and we are very grateful as a school for his services and the time that he gives up to work with our pupils.”