One organisation, two training formats
The School of Self Defence is not separate from the Todd Group. It presents the self-defence training available to the public in a direct form: private lessons for individuals and small groups, and ongoing weekly training for accepted applicants.
The Todd Group also provides specialist training and courses beyond the scope of this website. Those services are described on the main Todd Group site.
Origins in the Baldock Institute in New Zealand
The organisation traces its history to the Baldock Institute, established in New Zealand in 1927. Geoff “Tank” Todd took over in 1986 with the School of Self Defence and later developed the wider Todd Group structure with Dunedin headquarters.
The full history includes an instructor lineage through European military close-combat systems. Military-derived methods are applied to personal protection, not operational tactical tasks. This background supports the training, but it is not necessary for a prospective student to study the complete lineage before deciding whether private or weekly self-defence training suits them.
Chief instructor
Geoff “Tank” Todd is the Todd Group chief instructor. His work includes military close combat, self-defence, defensive tactics and instructor development across military, law-enforcement, security and public training contexts.
Detailed qualifications, appointments and historical records are maintained on the Todd Group site as the primary institutional record.
Responsible access
The School reserves the right to train only suitable applicants. This reflects the nature of the material and the importance of safe conduct, not an expectation that applicants already be highly skilled or physically exceptional.