Grading System
Black Boar uses a grading system to track the progress and achievements of our members during their historical fencing journey.
Scholar
Everyone who is a member of Black Boar and maintains their monthly subscription fee is considered a scholar. This is the entry level grade within the school, and all beginners will start off as a scholar.
Free Scholar
To progress to the free scholar grade, students must pass both their smallsword and military sabre assessments. This is referred to as being ‘approved’ for both weapons. It typically takes 6 months of study and training per weapon to pass the assessments, although students may be approved earlier if our instructors think they are ready and demonstrate a suitable level of competence.
Assessments involve testing a student’s knowledge of weapon forms and terminology, close observation during supervised free play, and ensuring the student’s ability to put into practice the school’s fencing style and expected safety standards.
Once approved as a free scholar, students are allowed to participate in free play at Black Boar and have earned the right to wear blue socks!
Provost
Provost is the next grade following free scholar status, for those who wish to advance their studies further. To achieve the grade of provost, free scholars must have begun their own study of weapon styles outwith the Black Boar curriculum. In addition, as provosts are expected to undertake supervision of free play sessions and assist with class teaching, they must demonstrate their suitability for such responsibilities by successfully passing internal instructor training. External accreditation is recommended for provosts, where appropriate.
Instructor
To become an instructor at Black Boar, a provost is expected to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of at least 1 weapon style, to a level where they can confidently teach and lead classes unsupervised, and have been doing so for a minimum of 1 year within the school. Instructors must have successfully passed all internal training and external accreditation, and they’re the only members permitted to wear black fencing jackets.
Instructors are only appointed with the approval of the Black Boar president and / or appropriate senior members.