Chief Instructor and founder of Bushido Martial Arts, John D Robertson is an 8th Dan and began training in Jiu-Jitsu with the Kirkby Jiu-Jitsu association in 1972. His reasons for following Jiu-Jitsu came after severe and prolonged bullying at school and it was decided that he needed something to boost his self esteem and at the same time equip him to defend himself. During his time studying Jiu-Jitsu John also studied Shotokan Karate. The marriage of Shotokan with Jiu-Jitsu has proven to be a very effective and productive union which has thus far seen over 5000 students train with Bushido Martial Arts during its 35 year history.
Helen started jujitsu with Bushido in 2003 to help with her self confidence, fitness and to learn self defence and she hasn’t looked back since! Helen was one of our first two female Jiujitsu black belts. With a few years away from training here and there due to university and work, Helen returned to us in 2018 and is now a 4th Dan and one of our fully qualified and insured Chief Instructors. Helen’s special interests include throws, street defence, women’s self defence and martial arts theory. Helen has published literature in the International Journal of Martial Arts (the most recent publication is
available here). Helen also enjoys weight lifting, has competed in Strongwoman competitions, is a keen swimmer and has completed a relay of the English Channel. Outside of the club she works as a veterinary surgeon and lecturer.
Paul has gone from strength to strength since he joined the club and is one of our Chief instructors. He leads both the karate and kickboxing classes and his knowledge of technique and fighting style is of huge benefit to Bushido students.
Jacob has been at Bushido since he was 6 years old and is a 4th Dan black belt in Jiujitsu and 4th Dan in Freestyle Karate. Jacob is also a WKC world champion in kata and a bronze medalist in kickboxing. Although Jacob is proficient in all the styles currently taught at Bushido, he predominantly teaches the Jiujitsu and kickboxing classes. Outside the dojo Jacob remains active and has most recently taken up climbing. Jacob has recently joined the army so will only be training with us occasionally.
4th Dan – Weapons Instructor, Bushido Martial Arts
Based in Sale, Greater Manchester, Sensei John McManus is a 4th Dan black belt and a highly respected instructor at Bushido Martial Arts. He primarily teaches Bo Staff on Monday nights, where his precision, discipline, and passion for traditional weapons training shine through.
A multiple-time world champion during his time at Bushido, John brings a wealth of experience and competitive success to his classes — inspiring students to push their limits and take pride in mastering their craft.
2nd Dan Freestyle Karate | 1st Dan Shotokan Karate | 4th Kyu Japanese Jiu Jitsu
Sensei Luke Rowbottom is a skilled martial artist from Stockport with a 2nd Dan in Freestyle Karate, a 1st Dan in Shotokan Karate, and a 4th Kyu in Japanese Jiu Jitsu.
Known for his deep knowledge of martial arts and his thoughtful, disciplined teaching style, Luke is passionate about helping students understand not just how to move — but why. His classes emphasise strong fundamentals, technical precision, and personal growth, making him a valued member of the Bushido Martial Arts team.
1st Dan Japanese Jiu Jitsu – Instructor, Bushido Martial Arts
Atticus is a dedicated martial artist from Stockport and a 1st Dan black belt in Japanese Jiu Jitsu. He also holds gradings in kickboxing and has competed in several kickboxing competitions over the past few years, bringing both technical skill and real-world experience to his teaching.
Known for his calm, supportive approach, Atticus helps students of all ages build confidence, discipline, and practical self-defence skills. He’s a key part of the Bushido team, blending traditional martial arts values with modern training methods.
A: All of our instructors have been nurtured and trained in-house throughout their martial arts journeys. Rather than simply hiring outside coaches, we develop our instructors from within—ensuring they fully understand our values, teaching style, and techniques.
Every year, our instructor team takes part in a series of ongoing training and development courses to stay sharp, informed, and effective. This includes mandatory first aid certification, structured teaching courses, and advanced training development sessions. This commitment means our students benefit from the highest standards of instruction, with up-to-date knowledge and a consistent approach across every class.
A: Yes — all of our instructors are fully insured through the club. This insurance is mandatory and must be arranged directly via us; we do not accept external or third-party policies. No instructor is allowed to teach or assist in class without current, valid insurance in place. This ensures a consistent standard of cover and peace of mind for everyone training with us.
A: We maintain high standards of discipline and mutual respect in all our classes. Minor disruptions—such as talking over an instructor, arguing with fellow students, or not paying attention—are addressed through physical exercises like push-ups or other fitness-based tasks. This reinforces focus, accountability, and respect in a constructive way.
More serious behaviour issues are not dealt with publicly on the mat. Instead, we speak privately with parents or guardians after the class to ensure any concerns are handled appropriately and with support from home. Our goal is always to create a respectful, safe, and positive environment for all students to learn and grow.
A: We aim for consistency in our classes, but please note that all our instructors are volunteers. While it's rare, there may occasionally be times when an instructor is unavailable due to family holidays or unforeseen circumstances.
That said, every class still offers value. We encourage all students to attend regularly—even if a different instructor is leading—because both our Jiu-Jitsu and Freestyle Karate systems are designed to complement each other in real-life situations. Trying “the other class” can often enhance your understanding and skillset.
To stay updated on any changes or announcements, please follow our Facebook page [click here] and join our WhatsApp group for students and parents/guardians. If you're not already in the WhatsApp group, just speak to one of our instructors and we’ll be happy to add you.
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Location: Siddington Avenue, Stockport Greater Manchester SK3 8NR
Call 07401 095321
Email: [email protected]
Site: https://page.bushido-stockport.co.uk/home