Kids Jiu Jitsu Brighton | Grand Union BJJ
13TH ANNIVERSARY OFFER
Join Grand Union this October and your child’s Grand Union Gi is included.
Help your child build confidence, discipline and resilience through Jiu Jitsu.
👉 BOOK YOUR CHILD’S FREE TRIAL
* New members joining 1–31 October 2026. One Gi per eligible new member. Subject to stock and sizing.
Age-specific classes • Experienced coaches • Safe, structured training • First class FREE
At Grand Union BJJ, we help children across Brighton and Rottingdean build confidence, discipline, resilience and respect through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Our Kids Jiu Jitsu programme is designed for children and teenagers from ages 4 to 17, from complete beginners through to experienced students. Classes are safe, structured and genuinely fun, helping children develop practical Jiu Jitsu and self-defence skills while learning important life values.
For families looking for kids martial arts in Brighton, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu offers much more than physical training. Children learn how to stay calm under pressure, solve problems, work with others, build confidence through achievement and develop the discipline to keep improving.
Our academy is based in Rottingdean, Brighton, and we welcome families from across Brighton, Rottingdean, Saltdean, Ovingdean, Kemptown, Brighton Marina, Peacehaven and the surrounding area.
BUILDING CONFIDENT KIDS & STRONG FAMILIES
At Grand Union Jiu Jitsu Brighton, we believe martial arts can play an important role in a child’s development.
But what children learn at Grand Union goes far beyond the mats.
Their first class is completely free. 👉 Book your child's free trial
MORE THAN JIU JITSU
Growing up brings challenges.
Children have to learn how to deal with pressure, friendships, setbacks, difficult situations and, sometimes, bullying.
We cannot remove every challenge they will face, but we can help prepare them to deal with those challenges with greater confidence and resilience.
Through Jiu Jitsu, children learn that difficult things can be overcome. They learn to stay calm under pressure, solve problems, listen, work with others and keep trying when something does not work the first time.
These are skills that can help them not only in Jiu Jitsu, but also at school, at home and throughout life.
KIDS MARTIAL ARTS IN BRIGHTON
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a grappling-based martial art that teaches children how to use technique, movement and leverage rather than relying purely on strength.
Unlike striking martial arts, BJJ does not involve punching or kicking. Children learn positions, escapes, control, movement and how to work safely with training partners.
For parents looking for kids martial arts in Brighton, Jiu Jitsu offers a combination of physical activity, confidence-building, discipline, problem-solving and practical self-defence skills.
DISCIPLINE & RESPECT
Our Kids Programme has clear standards.
Students are expected to listen to their instructors, respect their teammates, follow the rules and take responsibility for their behaviour.
Our five Kids Mat Rules are simple:
Listen Carefully • Sit Respectfully • Stay on the Mat • Show Respect • Have Fun
We believe these habits are an important part of becoming a martial artist, and an important part of growing up.
CONFIDENCE THROUGH ACHIEVEMENT
We don’t simply tell children to be confident.
We give them opportunities to build confidence through achievement.
Learning a new technique, completing a difficult exercise, earning a stripe, competing for the first time or simply having the courage to keep trying all teach children that improvement comes through effort.
Over time, they begin to understand:
“I can do difficult things.”
That is the kind of confidence we want our students to develop.
PRACTICAL SELF-DEFENCE
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teaches children how to manage physical situations using technique, movement and control, rather than relying only on size or strength.
However, self-defence starts long before a physical confrontation.
We teach children to be aware of their surroundings, communicate confidently, avoid unnecessary conflict and seek help from an adult whenever possible.
If they ever find themselves in a situation they cannot avoid, we want them to have both the confidence and practical skills to protect themselves.
For parents looking for kids self-defence classes in Brighton, our aim is to teach practical skills while reinforcing that Jiu Jitsu should never be used to bully or intimidate others.
CONFIDENCE & DEALING WITH BULLYING
Some children start Jiu Jitsu because their parents would like them to become more confident or better able to deal with difficult social situations.
Regular training can help children become more comfortable with physical challenges, develop stronger body language and learn how to stay calm under pressure.
Most importantly, we teach children that real confidence does not mean looking for confrontation.
Our aim is to help them feel more capable, more composed and more confident in themselves.
POSITIVE ROLE MODELS
Children are influenced by the people and environments around them.
That’s why we take our responsibility as coaches seriously.
Our aim is to provide a place where children are surrounded by positive role models, clear boundaries, supportive teammates and coaches who genuinely want to see them succeed.
For many children, Grand Union becomes much more than the place where they practise Jiu Jitsu.
It becomes their team.
WHY PARENTS CHOOSE GRAND UNION
Parents choose Grand Union because they want more than just another after-school activity.
Our Kids Programme combines:
Confidence • Discipline • Respect • Resilience • Fitness • Self-Defence • Positive Role Models • Community
Children learn real Jiu Jitsu, but they also become part of an environment where effort, good behaviour, teamwork and personal development matter.
SAFE, FUN JIU JITSU CLASSES FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES
Safety is at the heart of our Kids Programme. Our classes are structured around age-appropriate activities that keep children engaged, challenged and supported.
For our youngest students, the focus is on games, coordination, movement and fundamental Jiu Jitsu skills that help build body awareness, confidence and good training habits.
As children get older, the training gradually becomes more technical and structured, while still keeping the environment positive, safe and enjoyable.
A PROGRAMME THAT GROWS WITH YOUR CHILD
Our programme provides a clear pathway from a child’s first experience of martial arts through their teenage years.
AGES 4–6
Movement, coordination, listening skills, confidence and fun.
AGES 7–9
Strong Jiu Jitsu foundations, discipline, confidence, teamwork and progressive skill development.
AGES 10–13
Technical development, increased independence, resilience, goal-setting and structured training.
TEENS 14–17
More advanced development, responsibility, fitness, self-defence and preparation for adult training.
EXPLORE OUR KIDS PROGRAMME →
PROGRESS, STRIPES & BELTS
Children need goals.
Our grading system gives students achievable milestones while teaching them that progress must be earned through training, effort, technical development, discipline and behaviour.
At Grand Union, earning a belt is about more than being good at Jiu Jitsu.
We want the belt to represent the person the child is becoming as well.
VIEW OUR KIDS GRADING SYSTEM →
WHERE TO FIND US
Grand Union Jiu Jitsu & Wellness
10 High Street
Rottingdean, Brighton
East Sussex
BN2 7HR
Our academy is located in the heart of Rottingdean, close to the seafront.
We welcome families from Rottingdean, Brighton, Saltdean, Ovingdean, Kemptown, Brighton Marina, Peacehaven and surrounding areas.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT AGE CAN MY CHILD START JIU JITSU?
Children can start from age 4. Our programme is divided into age groups: 4–6, 7–9, 10–13 and Teens 14–17.
DOES MY CHILD NEED EXPERIENCE?
No. Complete beginners are very welcome, and classes are structured to help children learn progressively.
DOES MY CHILD NEED TO BE FIT OR SPORTY?
No. Children can start from any fitness level. Their coordination, fitness and confidence develop through regular training.
WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD WEAR FOR THEIR FREE TRIAL?
Comfortable sports clothing such as a T-shirt and shorts or joggers is fine for their first trial. We train barefoot on the mats.
IS JIU JITSU GOOD FOR SELF-DEFENCE?
Jiu Jitsu teaches practical skills including movement, control, escapes and staying calm under pressure. We also teach children to avoid unnecessary conflict and seek help whenever possible.
WILL JIU JITSU MAKE MY CHILD AGGRESSIVE?
Our programme places a strong emphasis on respect, control and responsible behaviour. Students are taught that Jiu Jitsu should never be used to bully or intimidate others.
WHERE ARE YOUR KIDS CLASSES HELD?
All of our Brighton kids classes are held at Grand Union Jiu Jitsu, 10 High Street, Rottingdean, Brighton, BN2 7HR.
IS THE FIRST CLASS FREE?
Yes. Your child can book a free trial class before deciding whether they would like to continue.
READY TO GET STARTED?
You don't need to know whether Jiu Jitsu will be right for your child before coming through our doors.
That's exactly what the trial class is for.
Let them experience the class, meet our coaches and other children, and see how they feel on the mats.