ABOUT ASCEND
A professional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy in Ashford, Kent — built for long-term development, not short-term attention.
Why Ascend Exists
Ascend was created to do one thing well: provide a clear, structured, and trustworthy path into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
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We believe jiu jitsu should be taught properly. That progress should be sustainable. That people should feel safe, supported, and respected — from their first day to their thousandth.
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Many gyms sell intensity, toughness, or personality. Ascend is built on structure, education, and trust.
The Ascend Way
What "built for the long term" actually means
This is not a tagline. It is how Ascend operates.
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Training systems designed for longevity, not burnout
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A culture that rewards patience and repetition
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Leadership that prioritises trust over attention
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Facilities, coaching, and standards that improve continuously
Members should feel more confident after six months, more capable after a year, and more connected after several years.
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Ascend is a place people grow into, not cycle through.
The Coaching Team
Ascend is led by a team of experienced instructors who work from a shared curriculum and teaching philosophy. Every coach upholds the same standards, so the quality of your training never depends on which class you attend.
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What unites the team:
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A commitment to clear, purposeful instruction
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The ability to teach beginners and advanced students with equal care
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Calm authority — leading through consistency, not volume
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A shared belief that coaching is about guiding, not dominating
Ian Hall
Black Belt 2nd Degree
Tim Rowan
Brown Belt
Sam Hall
Black Belt 1st Degree
Arash Kallaghi
Brown Belt
Nick Danes
Black Belt
Ellie Osborne
Purple Belt
Matt Whitt
Brown Belt
Steve Passfield
Blue Belt
The culture we protect
​​Ascend is not trying to be the loudest academy. It is trying to be the most trusted.
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When Ascend is working properly, people say:
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"It is the clearest place to start jiu jitsu."
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"It feels professional but welcoming."
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"You can train there for years."
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"They take development seriously."