What the programme is
Mindset Warrior is a six-week mentoring programme run at Warrior Combat Gym in Waterloo, or at school where the school has arranged that, and always organised with your child's school. Students come once a week, train with the same coaches each time, and learn martial arts basics as a way to build confidence, self-control and resilience. Each session pairs the physical work with reflection on the week's theme, like communication, confidence or responding to challenge.
It is not a fight club
There is no live fighting, no striking between students and no competitive sparring. Students use pads, bags, footwork and movement drills. Some sessions may include carefully supervised partner movement or grappling drills. The purpose is discipline, confidence, self-control and respect, not combat. A student can pause, pass or use a non-contact alternative at any time.
Who is with your child
- All programme coaches are enhanced DBS checked and subject to ongoing safeguarding and suitability checks. They are the same coaches who work with children and young people through the gym's regular classes.
- A named Programme Safeguarding Lead, Karen O'Connor, and the published safeguarding and reporting procedures of Warrior Combat Gym CIC.
- Appropriate insurance, risk assessment and first-aid provision are in place for every cohort.
- School staff involvement. We recommend a member of school staff is present or nearby throughout.
What a session looks like
- Arrival and check-in. Same shape every week, so students always know where they stand.
- Purpose and boundaries. The aim for the week, safety, and the right to pause or pass.
- Purposeful experience. Movement-based and martial-arts-informed activity using pads, bags, footwork and, where appropriate, carefully supervised partner drills. Students can pause, pass or use a non-contact alternative.
- Reflection and real-life connection. What happened, and where the same pattern shows up at school.
- One action and close. Each child chooses one small thing to practise this week.
What your child needs
Comfortable clothes they can move in. That is it. We provide all the kit, and there is no cost to you: the school arranges and funds the place.
The registration form
Before the first session, parents or carers receive a short registration and consent form covering contact details, emergency information, medical needs and permission to take part. The information is used to deliver the programme safely and is handled in line with the Mindset Warrior privacy notice and the school's agreed data arrangements. Our current privacy policy explains how we look after personal information. If your link has expired, ask the school for a new one.
Seeing it for yourself
Parents are warmly invited to the graduation in week 6, where students demonstrate what they have learned and receive their certificates. If you would like to know more before the programme starts, we are happy to arrange a parent information session; ask the school or contact us directly.
One more thing worth saying clearly: this is a mentoring and personal-development programme built on structure, effort and trusted adults. It is not therapy, diagnosis or treatment, and if we ever think a young person needs more support than mentoring, we raise it through the school's safeguarding and support processes.
Questions?
Ask us directly. We are happy to talk anything through before your child starts.