Welcome to a new approach to education.
Shinsei Academy
The word ‘Shinsei’ means ‘new way’ in Japanese. It’s a term familiar to true martial artists and it symbolizes the journey we go on when we embark on martial arts training: our lives take on a new direction.
Shinsei Academy is an alternative provision that combines the discipline, challenge and fun of martial arts training with high quality teaching of core GCSEs. We exist to support pupils in KS4 that are at risk of permanent exclusion or are not attending school. Shinsei will be seeking to be become a registered independent school shortly after opening as an AP in September.
We recognize that not all young people are able to access mainstream education full time for a myriad of reasons. We also recognize that across Greater Manchester there is a lack of high quality, registered provisions which specialize in SEND and SEMH. This has led to many vulnerable young people remaining in schools that aren’t able to match their needs which, in turn, leads to poor behaviour or, even worse, falling through the gaps in education and becoming lost.
We are offering a new way.
Our Values
Through consistent practice and committed study, all martial artists learn and abide by the Bushido code – whether they are taught it explicitly or not.
1. Truthfulness: Always be genuine in your interactions with others.
2. Bravery: Show courage when times are difficult
3. Compassion: Display kindness and care for others.
4. Respect: Honour yourself, others and the community.
5. Honesty: Tell the truth at all times.
6. Integrity: Do the right thing even when no one is watching.
7. Loyalty: Stay committed and faithful.
These values underpin all aspects our lives and equip us with the resilience, humility and courage to not only positively affect our own lives but that of our communities. We wish to instil these ideals in young people in Greater Manchester.
Academic Study
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AQA English Language
Language Paper 1 and Paper 2 Skills
Reading and Writing
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AQA Maths
Number
Alegbra
Ratio
Geometry
Probability
Statistics
Martial Arts Training
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Muay Thai is a martial art and combat sport from Thailand, known for its emphasis on striking techniques using fists, elbows, knees, and shins. It combines physical and mental discipline, incorporating clinch fighting and various kicks for a comprehensive stand-up fighting style.
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Freestyle, Greco-Roman, Catch and folk-style
Wrestling is an intensely competitive sport where two athletes grapple to gain control and score points by pinning the opponent or executing throws and takedowns. It allows for a wide range of techniques, emphasizing both standing and ground wrestling
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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and self-defense system that focuses on ground fighting and submission holds. It emphasizes using leverage and technique to overcome larger opponents. BJJ practitioners aim to control, submit, or force their opponents to surrender through submission holds, fostering both physical and mental discipline.
Counselling
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1:1 counselling with professionals (if required).
Meet the staff
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Chris Cluitt
Chris Cluitt, has over 13 years’ experience in mainstream secondary education. Since starting teaching English in London, Chris has been passionate about working with the most vulnerable families to reduce exclusions, engage some of the hardest to reach pupils and work with his colleagues in other agencies to ensure that pupils get the best outcomes. During his time in London Chris worked closely with pupils involved in gangs, criminal exploitation and pupils at risk of permanent exclusion. Chris has held positions as head of year, curriculum lead in English and Literacy, safeguarding lead and Senior Assistant Headteacher for behaviour and Welfare.
Chris’ specialism lies in supporting pupils with trauma and behaviours associated with social, emotional mental health needs (SEMH). Chris is also SENDCO at Shinsei. Having worked within the curriculum management of schools and the pastoral leadership, Chris has an excellent understanding of the what makes engaging and supportive lessons. Chris is DSL trained, will be SENDCO trained from September, Trauma informed and CPI trained.
Chris’ Martial Arts journey started at a young age: a brief foray into karate was followed by several years of boxing training before moving into submission wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Since Chris started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he hasn’t looked back – he’s competed locally and nationally. Though Chris specializes in Brazilian Jiu jitsu and grappling, he also enjoys training kickboxing and Muay Thai.
Chris is passionate about all aspects of martial arts and upholds the values of a martial artist: Calmness, humility and respect.
At Shinsei, Chris is the Lead Teacher; he teaches English, coaches the grappling, assists in the striking and is the director of the company.
Outside of teaching and martial arts, Chris loves to travel and can often be found swimming or trekking in an obscure part of the world with his wife.
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Jo Farrow
Jo is a professional integrative counselling psychologist based in greater Manchester. She works primarily in private practice, as the directing therapist of Condor Counselling. Over her career, she has consistently worked with children, in private, school and residential settings, and has become passionate about supporting and guiding children and young people.
‘My involvement with the private care sector has enabled me to branch out into more specific areas of therapy, such as trauma healing and behavioural therapy. These specialisms have provided me with one of the most rewarding areas I have the privilege of working within. To be able to see potential and help a young person build themself up via my involvement is a reward like no other.’
As an integrative therapist, Jo is able to pull threads from many different theories in order to suit the needs of each individual client. This flexibility and wealth of knowledge of different areas and modes of therapy really allows her to create a completely bespoke service for each individual.
Jo is thrilled to be supporting the staff and young people at Shinsei Academy.
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Susan Gee
Susan has 7 years teaching experience in mainstream secondary schools. Prior to working in education, she worked in the construction industry for over 20 years. Giving Susan a breadth of experience in both education and industry.
She is passionate about giving disadvantaged young people the opportunities that they very much need.
Experienced in teaching science and maths at KS3 and KS4, Susan uses effective teaching strategies to engage the hardest to reach students at all levels. Her ability to teach responsively in a mixed ability setting is excellent.
‘Forming positive relationships built on trust and respect is essential when working with young people, particularly those who may have additional barriers such as SEND, social, emotional or mental health issues. I am passionate about facilitating students to find their potential and helping them to thrive.’
A keen martial artist Susan trains regularly in kickboxing and Muay Thai. Reaching black belt and going on to complete her coaching course, she is keen to pass on her experience to others and currently coaches at her local martial arts gym in Mossley. Confident in all aspects of these combat sports, Susan is a supportive and enthusiastic coach and an excellent sparring partner, Susan regularly attends interclubs to gain further experience. With both teaching and martial arts experience, Susan is in a great position to mentor young people.
Susan lives in Oldham with her husband, Rick, and 3 children. She can be found regularly walking their dog on the local hills.
Our curriculums
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The pupils will study AQA English Language paper 1 and paper 2. As well as learning the necessary skills to engage in their GCSE English, pupils will also follow the AQA unit award scheme which will allow pupils to gain certificates which can be used to in their application to college.
The full curriculum can be viewed below.
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Pupils will cover all of the KS4 specification for AQA Maths. This includes number, algebra, ratio, geometry, probability and statistics. The skills taught in these lessons will enable pupils to access their GCSE exams. Pupils will also follow the AQA unit award scheme. This will allow them to gain certificates so that they build a portfolio for college applications.
The full curriculum can be viewed below.
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Pupils will learn to attack, defend and counter. Muay Thai involves attacks with kicks, punches, elbows and knees. Sparring will be introduced slowly when pupils have demonstrated and ability to display control and discipline.
The full curriculum can be viewed below.
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Pupils will learn how to effectively take an opponent to the ground and pin them using a variety of wrestling techniques. Pupils will also learn how to defend themselves against takedowns. The styles of wrestling taught at Shinsei include Freestyle, Catch and Greco-Roman.
The full curriculum can be viewed below.
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In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, pupils learn ground-based self-defense techniques emphasizing leverage, positional control, and submissions. The curriculum includes escapes, sweeps, and submissions, promoting strategic problem-solving. BJJ fosters physical fitness, mental resilience, and adaptability, allowing practitioners to overcome opponents through technique rather than relying on physical strength alone.
The full curriculum can be viewed below.
Our Martial Arts
Learning Martial Arts isn’t just about ‘learning how to fight’, it’s also not just about glorifying violence. It’s often said that Martial arts is all about ‘respect’ and it’s true. Respect for the tradition, respect for the people you train with and respect for you and your body. Each Martial Art, however, has its own unique skillset and teaches its own lessons along the way. Wrestling: Grit and determination. Muay Thai/Kickboxing: humility and restraint. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Patience and problem solving.
Alongside all of these, there’s the incredible physical and mental health benefits that come with training such intense sports.
Wrestling
By far one of the most challenging sports in the world (and the oldest). Wrestling takes speed, power and endurance - all at the same time.
Pupils learning to wrestle will experience intensity like never before (in any sport), will develop the resilience to persevere through challenges and grow the character to withstand an insane amount of pressure - physically and emotionally.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
One of the fastest growing combat sports in the world, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) really is an art form.
Known as ‘human chess’, it’s hard to fathom the amount of submissions and positions that exist within the sport. Created by The Gracie family, BJJ takes elements from Judo and wrestling to create the most effective grappling system on the planet.
BJJ is about problem solving and it takes patience. Pupils will learn the art of patience, the virtue of calmness under pressure and the analytical skills to be able to find opportunities amidst the chaos.
By the far the longest journey the pupils will ever embark on - it takes between 10-15 years to get to black belt level (and even then, they’ll have only scratched the surface of the techniques available).
Muay Thai/ Kickboxing
Muay Thai is ‘the sport of eight limbs’ and it teaches the pupils about discipline and respect.
Without respect, pupils can’t really understand Muay Thai. The sport, although intensively combative, is built upon a foundation of honour, restraint and an appreciation for others.
Muay Thai uses punches, kicks, knees and elbows - this leads to incredible cardio-vascular strength, flexibility and timing.
Pupils can expect to be challenged by this sport in ways they never expected. By learning Muay Thai and the art of kickboxing, the pupils are being connected to a tradition that goes back hundreds of years.
Timetable: Academic
Pupils can access up to 4 days a week on the academic programme.
In this programme, they’ll cover the necessary skills to access their GCSE English and Maths lessons upon entry into mainstream. Where re-entry into mainstream isn’t appropriate or possible, pupils will gain enough knowledge to access their GCSE exams.
Timetable: Fitness
On Fridays pupils can access a complete martial arts fitness programme. This day will include grappling and striking disciplines plus fitness training.
Please note, due to restrictions on the amount of time that pupils can access alternative provision within the week, pupils can’t access both programmes: Fitness and Academic.
Where can you find us?
63 Bell House,
Bell Street,
Oldham,
OL1 3PY
FAQs
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We offer English and Maths GCSE. We use the AQA specification. All of our lessons are based on exam specifications.
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Pupils will train in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Freestyle Wrestling, Judo and Muay Thai.
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All of the coaches involved in the martial arts training have years of experience, have competed nationally and are following a strict curriculum which allows pupils to progress and grow in confidence as they train.
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All safer recruitment processes have been followed, all staff have enhanced DBS certficates and follow strict safeguarding policies.
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Everyone is welcome to visit the provision at any point during the day.
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All referral enquires should be emailed to referrals.shinseiacademy@gmail.com
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the provision, want to know more about what we do or want to come and visit us at our site in Oldham, please don’t hesitate to contact us.