One Final Review Opportunity Before the New Training Year
The Academic Year Refresher Review is for invited members who need to complete the previous academic year's Review process before they can be considered for the Autumn Belt Promotion.
What this means in simple terms
If your child has been invited to the Academic Year Refresher Review, it means they have missed part of the normal Review process from the previous training year.
They can attend this one-hour Refresher Review on Saturday 5th September 2026 at ZKS MA HQ. If they demonstrate the required standard and receive instructor approval, they will then be invited to the Autumn Belt Promotion.
If they do not attend, they can continue training as normal, but their next belt opportunity will be the July 2027 Belt Promotion after completing the Winter 2026, Spring 2027 and Summer 2027 Reviews.
What is a Review?
A Review is the assessment stage where instructors check whether a member is progressing towards their next belt.
Reviews help us make sure members are training consistently, developing the required skills and meeting the standard expected for their level.
White Belt members normally need to complete one Review before their first Belt Promotion. Coloured Belt members normally need to complete three Reviews across the training year: Winter, Spring and Summer.
The Academic Year Refresher Review gives invited members one final opportunity to complete the previous academic year's Review process before the new training year begins.
This does not lower grading standards
The purpose of the Academic Year Refresher Review is not to lower grading standards.
Its purpose is to ensure that members who have trained consistently and demonstrated the required standard are able to complete the previous academic year's progression before the new academic year begins.
Booking or attending the Academic Year Refresher Review does not automatically guarantee promotion. All members must still demonstrate the required standard and receive instructor approval before being invited to the Autumn Belt Promotion.
Who this Review is for
Please only book this session if your child has been invited or listed as needing the Academic Year Refresher Review.
White Belt members
This may apply to White Belt members who:
- joined before the Easter break
- have trained consistently
- did not complete their first Review during the previous training year
For these members, the Academic Year Refresher Review gives them the opportunity to complete their first Review. If they successfully complete the Review and receive instructor approval, they will then be invited to the Autumn Belt Promotion.
Coloured Belt members
This may apply to coloured belt members who missed one or more required Reviews during the previous training year.
This may include missed Reviews from:
- Winter Review 2025
- Spring Review 2026
- Summer Review 2026
For coloured belt members, the Academic Year Refresher Review gives them one final opportunity to catch up on the required Review process before the previous academic year is closed.
Members who missed the July 2026 Belt Promotion:
Some members completed the required Reviews during the previous training year but missed the July 2026 Belt Promotion or did not order their belt in time. These members may not need to attend the Academic Year Refresher Review, but they may still need to attend the Autumn Belt Promotion to complete the previous academic year's progression.
Please check the message you have received carefully before booking. If your child has not been invited to the Refresher Review, they may only need the Autumn Belt Promotion route.
The pathway after booking
Book the Refresher Review
Book through the Members Area if your child has been invited or listed as needing this Review.
Attend the one-hour Review
Members attend the Academic Year Refresher Review at ZKS MA HQ on Saturday 5th September 2026.
Instructor confirmation
If the required standard is demonstrated, members will then be invited to the Autumn Belt Promotion.
The Refresher Review is not the Belt Promotion. Members will not automatically receive a belt at this session.
What happens if members do not attend?
Members who do not attend can continue training as normal. However, if they need the Academic Year Refresher Review and do not attend, they will not be eligible for the Autumn Belt Promotion.
Their next opportunity to receive their next belt would then be the July 2027 Belt Promotion.
To be eligible for the July 2027 Belt Promotion, members would need to complete the normal Review cycle during the next training year, including:
- Winter Review 2026
- Spring Review 2027
- Summer Review 2027
This Refresher Review is therefore an opportunity to stay on track now, rather than waiting until July 2027.
Refresher Review fee
The fee for the Academic Year Refresher Review is £30.
The Academic Year Refresher Review is priced at £30 because it is a special end-of-year session outside the normal Review schedule.
This is not a penalty fee. It reflects the additional instruction time, administration, eligibility checking, instructor assessment and the opportunity to complete the previous academic year's progression before the new training year begins.
This is not a charge for a belt. It is the fee for the special Refresher Review session. Belt Promotion and belt ordering are separate and will only apply if the member successfully completes the required process and receives instructor approval.
Important booking information
Please only book this session if your child has been invited or listed as needing the Academic Year Refresher Review.
The session will last one hour. The exact start time will be shown when booking through the Members Area.
Spaces are limited, and this session is designed specifically for members who need to complete the previous academic year's Review process.
Autumn Belt Promotion
The Autumn Belt Promotion is the next step for members who have completed the required Review process and received instructor approval.
Members who successfully complete the Academic Year Refresher Review may then be invited to attend the Autumn Belt Promotion, where they can complete the previous academic year's progression and stay on track with their current peer group.
Please do not book the Autumn Belt Promotion before your child is eligible.
If your child needs the Academic Year Refresher Review, they should complete the Refresher Review first. Autumn Belt Promotion eligibility will then be confirmed by the instructor.
Autumn Belt Promotion page
Read the Autumn Belt Promotion information once your child has been confirmed as eligible.
View Autumn Belt PromotionMembers Area
Use the Members Area to book events and manage your child's membership.
Log in to Members AreaSummary
The Academic Year Refresher Review is designed to:
- maintain grading standards
- recognise consistent training
- give invited members one final opportunity to complete the previous academic year's Review process
- support members who missed part of the normal Review pathway
- provide a structured transition into the new academic year
This Review is not about giving away belts. It is about giving committed members a final opportunity to demonstrate the required standard before the previous academic year is closed.
FAQs
Is the Academic Year Refresher Review the same as Belt Promotion?
No. The Refresher Review is the assessment stage. Members will only be invited to Autumn Belt Promotion if they successfully complete the Review and receive instructor approval.
Does attending guarantee my child gets their belt?
No. Members must still demonstrate the required standard and receive instructor approval before being invited to the Autumn Belt Promotion.
How long is the session?
The session will last one hour. The exact start time will be shown when booking through the Members Area.
Why is this £30 when a normal Review is £12.50?
This is a special end-of-year session outside the normal Review schedule. The fee reflects additional instruction time, administration, eligibility checking and instructor assessment. It is not a penalty fee and it is not a charge for a belt.
What happens if my child does not attend?
They can continue training as normal, but if they needed this Review and do not attend, they will not be eligible for the Autumn Belt Promotion. Their next opportunity would be the July 2027 Belt Promotion, after completing the Winter 2026, Spring 2027 and Summer 2027 Reviews.
Can I book the Autumn Belt Promotion now?
If your child needs the Refresher Review, they should complete the Refresher Review first. Autumn Belt Promotion eligibility will then be confirmed by the instructor.
What if my child completed the required Reviews but missed July Belt Promotion?
They may not need the Academic Year Refresher Review. Please check the message you received from ZKS Martial Arts carefully. They may only need the Autumn Belt Promotion route.
How do I know if my child needs this Review?
Please check the message you received from ZKS Martial Arts. If you still believe there is an error, contact us through the Members Area message function.