Qualified Teacher Status with the Department for Education and the Institute for Learning
Member of the Institute for Learning
National Tutor United Kingdom Martial Arts Alliance (UKMAA)
Internationally recognised Martial Arts Qualifications
Level 4 BTEC Professional Award: PTLLS
Level 3 BTEC Advanced Award: Coaching and Instructing in Physical Restraint Practice
Level 3 BTEC Advanced Award: Physical Restraint Practice
First Aid at Work and Expedition First Aid Qualifications
Anaphylaxis First Aid Qualification
Heartstart UK Emergency Life Support Trainer
DfE approved Child Protection Training
Clean Enhanced CRB Clearance
Insured by HNH Insurance Brokers Ltd and Martial Arts Great Britain
Coach John Titchen began martial arts training in 1991, teaching karate from 1993 as an assistant instructor and becoming an instructor in 1995. He now has 17 years experience of teaching in the field of martial arts and self protection.
In 1999, John embarked upon a detailed study of the patterns of habitual acts of violence (HAOV) that made his training and teaching more relevant to Violent Crime. This research significantly improved the combative capability of his students, but it became clear that a realistic attack on its own lacked the psychological intensity of a real event and thus simulations were integrated into the training method. These developments resulted in the development of the Defence Attack & Resolution Tactics (DART) System. Elements of coaching and psychological training were adopted from outside the martial arts; and the challenge by choice, Neuro Linguistic Programming and Fear Management techniques used in the system were developed from research and training in the field of Rope Course Development. In 2006 DART adopted the use of Blauer Tactical Systems' High Gear™ suits for scenario training to ensure that its students had the most versatile and practical protective equipment available.
In April 2007 John became a Personal Defence Readiness™ Coach with Blauer Tactical Systems (BTS) in the USA, teaching S.P.E.A.R. SYSTEM™ Basics alongside his own syllabus in his regular classes. He subsequently became an accredited instructor with the National Federation for Personal Safety with a BTEC Level 3 Advanced Award in Physical Restraint Practice and a BTEC Level 3 Advanced Award in the Coaching and Instruction in Physical Restraint and the new PTLLS BTEC Level 4 award in Coaching and Instruction in Physical Restraint. In December 2008 John decided to resign his position as a Personal Defence Readiness™ Coach to focus more on the teaching of his own system.
Coach John Titchen currently holds instructor grades in four separate systems. He is respected internationally for his book Heian Flow System: Effective Karate Kata Bunkai and has taught seminars in both the UK and the USA. A former regular columnist for the acclaimed Traditional Karate Magazine, he is now a popular columnist for the internationally successful Jissen magazine, and has been interviewed by both Combat Magazine and Martial Arts Planet. John continues to research and develop new psychological and physical defence strategies and coaching methods to ensure that those training with him receive the best instruction possible to make their lives safer. John's diverse training background combined with his passion for detailed research have made him one of the foremost trainers in the UK in effective legally appropriate unarmed physical response training.
Outside the martial arts Coach John Titchen has experience in teaching at both primary, middle and secondary schools as well as at university and in the military and has Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). John has also been both an RLSS Lifeguard, an Army qualified Obstacle Course Instructor (Garrison) and a qualified Fitness Instructor (Level II). He works part time with young people as a senior officer in the RAF Voluntary Reserve Training Branch and is a Qualified Weapons Instructor (WI(C)), Regiment Adventurous Training Officer (RATO) and a RCD Low Ropes and High Ropes Confidence Course Instructor as well as being a Youth First Aid Trainer, Heartstart UK Emergency Life Support Trainer and Scenario Trainer. John is registered as a Qualified Teacher with the Institute for Learning, which is the professional body for teachers, trainers and assessors across further education (FE), including adult and community learning, emergency and public services, FE colleges, the armed services, the voluntary sector and work-based learning. In addition to this he has enhanced CRB clearance, current HSE approved First Aid at Work qualifications and up to date training in Child Protection.