The Royal Hospital School has successfully applied to deliver the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS).
NICAS provides the structure and motivation for new climbers to develop their climbing skills and have their achievements recognised. GCSE, A level and BTEC students are often able to follow the NICAS syllabus to achieve the climbing element of their qualification.
NICAS Awards Director, Paddy Ryan said that the scheme aims to ‘promote good practice, deeper knowledge of the sport and provide a structure for climbing development’.
Climbing teaches a whole range of valuable life skills including: responsibility, trust, supporting others, understanding risk, perseverance and recognising and coping with anxiety – Paddy Ryan, NICAS Awards Director
“The real benefits of climbing go way beyond the physical development of young people. Climbing teaches a whole range of valuable life skills including: responsibility, trust, supporting others, understanding risk, perseverance and recognising and coping with anxiety.
“The NICAS Scheme is an ideal way to maximise the use of the School’s brand new climbing wall which is the centre piece of its recent £1.2m sports facility project that will continue to inspire our young people to achieve their best,” he said.
Martin Chester, Executive Officer of the ABC (Association of British Climbing Walls), said: “I’m delighted that the Royal Hospital School will be delivering the NICAS Scheme. The scheme is designed for everyone, from complete novices to experienced indoor climbers. We believe that high standards should be encouraged early on in a participants’ climbing career so that both safety and enjoyment can be practised to the full, and we believe NICAS provides that framework.”
27 pupils, aged between 11 and 18, have already signed onto the NICAS award.
