Kane Academy: Inspiring Confidence and Discipline in Children with Special Educational Needs

Mums of children with special educational needs in Huddersfield are praising a local martial arts academy for its transformative impact on their youngsters. The Kane Academy, run by Rebecca Kane, offers a unique Superstars program designed to teach balance, memory, discipline, fitness, and coordination to children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Rebecca Kane: A Champion’s Commitment

Rebecca Kane, a former Irish dance, kickboxing, and stick fighting world champion, has dedicated herself to empowering children with SEND for over two decades. Her efforts extend beyond martial arts; Kane is renowned for her work with Taaliyah Bates, a blind girl who developed a love for Irish dance after hearing The Pogues’ version of “Fairytale of New York.”

Billy Clare: Building Confidence

Michele Clare’s eight-year-old son, Billy, who has an autism spectrum disorder, has been attending the Kane Academy for eight months. Initially, Billy was anxious about social situations, but his first class under Rebecca’s guidance changed that. Rebecca’s ability to connect with SEND children quickly and adapt her teaching methods to suit individual needs helped Billy gain confidence and even make new friends.

Michele notes, “Billy can be very anxious, especially in social situations, but he was very nervous when he went for his first class with Rebecca but he came out absolutely buzzing as they’d worked in pairs and he’d made a couple of new friends.” Rebecca’s commitment to building confidence through small, achievable goals has been particularly beneficial for Billy.

Joseph McDermott: Fun and Structure

Laura McDermott’s twelve-year-old son, Joseph, who has Down syndrome, also benefits from the Superstars program. Joseph finds the classes fun and engaging, and the structured environment aids his mobility and hand-eye coordination. Laura appreciates the positive impact on Joseph’s ability to focus and engage with peers.

Laura adds, “Joseph finds it really fun and it’s also great exercise and good for his mobility while helping his hand to eye coordination. He’s learned about turn-taking, loves pairing up with other youngsters, and it’s useful for other children to be in classes with SEND children as it gives them an insight into disability.” Rebecca’s teaching style fosters inclusivity and community engagement, ensuring that every child feels valued and supported.

A Champion’s Approach to Inclusivity

Rebecca’s experience and passion for SEND education shine through in her approach to teaching. Over the past two decades, she has observed an increase in the number of children identified with SEND and understands the importance of inclusivity. At the Kane Academy, children learn valuable life skills such as teamwork, empathy, and resilience while progressing from beginner to champion level.

Rebecca emphasizes, “I’ve taught SEND children for the last 20 years to varying degrees. Over the last 10 years, there has definitely been an increase in the number of children defined as SEND. It’s important for children to work together with others regardless of race, gender, creed, or disability. Our group is representative of the whole community, and being part of this from beginner to champion level teaches inclusivity while teaching pupils to help and care for others.”

Discover More About the Kane Academy

For those interested in learning more about the Kane Academy and its mission to empower children with SEND, visit their website at Kane Academy. To see how Rebecca teaches Joseph, watch the video at Joseph’s Grading.

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