Indoor Climbing at RHS

The Royal Hospital School has recently been successful in its application to deliver the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS). This UK-wide scheme provides the structure and motivation for new climbers to develop their climbing skills, to gain the most out of the sport, as well as having their achievements recognised with five levels of award. It can be used as a starting point for people wishing to take up climbing and mountaineering, and is open to all candidates aged 7 and upwards. GCSE, A Level and BTEC students are often able to follow the NICAS syllabus to achieve the climbing element of their qualification.

An independent, co-educational, boarding and day school for 750 pupils aged 11 to 18 years, The Royal Hospital School is set in 200 acres of Suffolk countryside overlooking the River Stour. With 3 centuries of heritage behind it, the School keeps looking forwards, as demonstrated by its recent £1.2m sports facility project, with this brand new climbing wall as its centrepiece.

As NICAS Awards Director, Paddy Ryan, says: “The real benefits of climbing go way beyond physical development. Climbing teaches a whole range of valuable life skills including: responsibility, trust, supporting others, understanding risk, perseverance, and recognising and coping with anxiety.”

This makes schools an ideal setting for a climbing wall, so we’re delighted to learn that The Royal Hospital School now has one, and that a cohort of 27 pupils, aged between 11 and 18, have already signed onto the NICAS award, all of whom are progressing well.

If you would like more information about this, or any of our other English boarding schools, please do contact us.

Photo courtesy of The Royal Hospital School