The basic schools climbing sessions offer an activity that young people enjoy whilst developing trust and responsibility under safe supervision.

Climbing:

• engages pupils in physical activity
• develops teamwork, trust and responsibility through cooperative working
• builds confidence through setting goals and achieving them
• develops social skills, encouraging positive communication
• requires the development of problem solving  and leadership skills
• requires the controlled application of mechanics when belaying
• develops ability at the pace of the individual
• can help those who are less adept at class-based learning (the kinaesthetic learners) to excel and gain confidence

Instructor-student ratio: 1 to 8

Price: £50 per group, per hour (up to 8 pupils per group)

Recommended session length: 1.5 to 2 hours

See Requirements from schools.

Climbing is an activity ideally suited to kinaesthetic learners and others who struggle in mainstream education. Exclusion unit pupils can excel through an integrated course of climbing and related activities, thereby gaining confidence and earning certificates of merit (NICAS, AQA or in-house) to strengthen their CV.

Our instructors, several of whom have QTS, have a wealth of experience managing groups from exclusion units, young offenders and NEETs. Through programmes of climbing and outdoor activities, our organization has successfully delivered government-funded local projects aimed at tackling youth antisocial behaviour, prolific offending and substance misuse.

We can offer:

• a progressive series of sessions designed for attainment of certificates (we usually recommended a series of around 6x 1-hour sessions, lasting half a term)
• single drop-in sessions, sometimes used by groups as rewards for those whose good behaviour elsewhere merits it

We offer high quality learning opportunities out of school hours, with reduced-rate climbing sessions for children (age 7-18) during evenings, weekends and school holidays. We offer an environment where every child can learn, where they can experience new and challenging opportunities.

Instructor-student ratio: 1 to 8

Price: £7 per child, per 1.5 hours (8 pupils per group)

Prior booking required – email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The aims of our organization are to:

• advance the education of children and young people in order to improve their physical, mental and social skills so that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society
• to promote positive and adventurous activities in the interests of social welfare and to improve the condition of life of the public, especially those who have most need by reason of their youth, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances.

Quotes from some of the people involved in our activities:

“This was a great way of introducing disadvantaged young people to new experiences, and those who took part in the wall climbing events seemed to thoroughly enjoy the occasion.” PC Farley, local Safer Neighbourhoods Team

“I come from a teaching background and I understand the value of such activities in the local community” Cllr. Barbara Barwick, Mayor of Greenwich

Sample of responses of young participants:

“I think it’s great”; “It was amazing”; “We got extra stuff to put on our CV”; “It’s fantastic”; “Don’t be afraid to jump in”; “I never thought I’d do anything like this”; “Now I have all the confidence in the world”

“...an important indicator of a successful transition [from primary to secondary school is] the extent that children have more and new friendships and report higher self esteem and greater confidence after their transition.” Institute of Education

Here at The Reach we can help children achieve successful transitions though our range of teambuilding and leadership activities which are incorporated into our climbing activities. Our After School Clubs are a great way for young people to meet new friends outside the school environment and to build self-esteem and confidence in a fun, exciting and safe way.

Day activities in local countryside

• For groups of up to 16 pupils
• Our various outdoor activities provide learning outside the classroom and support school engagement strategies.
• All of these activities can be accredited under Entry Level or Level 1 unit awards, GCSE P.E. modules and BTEC modules.
• Suitable for learning support development and enrichment programmes.
• Range of Prices

• Rock Climbing

The nearest outdoor crags available for a day trip are the Southern sandstone outcrops near Tunbridge Wells, most notably Harrisons or Bowles Rocks. At these venues, fully protected top-rope climbing, bouldering and scrambling can be enjoyed in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

• Cycling – Mountain Biking

We take groups around single-track dedicated cycle paths through a variety of woodland at Bedgebury or Deer’s Leap Park. The day is suitable for beginner cyclists as well as confident mountain bikers who want more exciting and technical challenges.

• Canoeing

At Yalding on the beautiful river Medway – a calm stretch of water, whose banks teem with flora and fauna. Kingfishers abound. This is a great introduction to open-boat canoeing with fully qualified instructors, who have experience working with a wide range of abilities.

• Team Building; Adventure Challenges; Rope Courses;

We can tailor a set of activities designed to stimulate lateral thinking, cooperation and leadership in a fun and energizing way. Can be delivered on site, or in local venues, or in activity centres in Kent, as required.

• Orienteering and/or Countryside Awareness

Orienteering courses can be set in a variety of terrains and topographies, at varying degrees of difficulty. This activity is suitable for groups of all ages and abilities. Can be delivered in schools, parks, or the local countryside.

• Wilderness Skills/ Fire making and cooking

This day is designed to develop young participants’ resourcefulness, independence, environmental awareness, understanding of personal and group safety and enjoyment of the countryside, all delivered under close supervision.

See Requirements from schools

For all our indoor and outdoor activities, we can tailor sessions to meet the requirements of groups with a variety of additional needs, by arrangement.

Please contact our Educational Officer on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss details of your requirements.

Before a course or session begins we will need signed consent forms covering all participants. If your organization does not have its own consent forms, please ask when you make your booking and we will send a copy of the Reach Consent Form.

To avoid difficulties over extra participants being added on the day, we have a strict policy that no more than 8 people can be taught per instructor. If more people than our policy allows arrive at a session then they may be allowed to observe but not climb.

Climbing and adventurous activities are potentially dangerous and therefore under 18’s must be supervised closely at all times. If there are any disciplinary issues then we have the right to exclude an individual on safety grounds.  We ask that there be a responsible adult present to manage the behaviour of young people.

We have experience delivering a range of qualifications to school and other youth groups, across a wide range of abilities – from GCSE modules, to National Indoor Climbing Achievement Scheme (NICAS) awards, AQA awards and in-house certificates.

Our professional, fully qualified instructors have successfully engaged young people across the spectrum, from disadvantaged children, to those who have struggled in the classroom environment, as well as ‘gifted and talented’ pupils. All have come away with some form of qualification and/or certification, as well as improved life-skills such as self-confidence, co-operative working, problem solving, etc.

School groups need to provide a register of participating pupils, which we ask to be returned to us before the start of the course.

• GCSE Climbing module

We offer two syllabuses: Edexcel and AQA. Both are 10 to 12 hour courses, which can be arranged over any number of sessions to suit your timetable. We will supply all the evidence to meet Ofsted requirements, though video evidence is left to your discretion.

80% of all GCSE modules taken at the Reach have resulted in grade A or higher (for both AQA and Edexcel boards)

68% of all GCSE modules taken at the Reach have resulted in A* grade

• National Indoor Climbing Achievement Scheme (NICAS)

An ideal way to fulfil extended services and out of school provision. We currently offer Levels 1 and 2 in the NICAS scheme – a nationally recognized certificate in climbing that enhances a C.V. and helps the individual gain life-skills. Our NICAS course comprises 6 sessions of 1.5 hours each. Typically Level 1 is attained at the end of session 3, and Level 2 at the end of session 6.

• AQA

As an AQA unit level 1 provider we are well equipped to fulfil extended services and out of school provision. AQA awards cover a vast range of subjects, not just climbing, so we can tailor courses to meet your specific needs. An entry level award requires a 10 hour course. There is also a pre-entry level which has no set duration, but is determined by ability.

• In-house certificates

We can provide in-house certificates in recognition of a range of attainments, at any level of ability, to suit your requirements. Ideal for extended services, those close to exclusion or in exclusion units, or those at risk of not attaining other qualifications. Can be included by arrangement as part of our basic climbing sessions or After School Clubs (at no extra cost).

See Requirements from schools

Climbing at the Reach:

• Basic climbing session: £50 per group, per hour (up to 8 pupils per group). Recommended session length: 1.5 to 2 hours
• After School Club (extended services): £7 per child, per 1.5 hours (from 6-8 pupils per group)
• GCSE climbing session: £50 per group, per hour (up to 8 pupils per group).
• NICAS climbing course: £60 per head (for a course of 6 sessions of 1.5 hours each), including registration and logbook.
• AQA awards: £50 per group, per hour (up to 8 pupils per group). There will be an additional registration fee for any pupils not already registered with AQA.

Mobile Wall hire:

• Basic price: £700 per day (including transportation of wall to site, 2 instructors plus climbing equipment)
• Generator hire: £25 per day (where no mains power available within 20m)
• Site reconnaissance: £45 (optional, at your own risk)

Outdoor activity days (for groups up to 16 pupils):

• Rock Climbing (including 2 instructors plus equipment): £506 per day
• Cycling – Mountain Biking (including 2 instructors plus bike hire and venue cost): £737 per day
• Canoeing (including 2 instructors plus equipment): £616 per day
• Team Building; Adventure Challenges; Rope Courses (including 2 instructors plus equipment and venue hire): £651 per day
• Orienteering and/or Countryside Awareness (including 2 instructors plus equipment): £506 per day
• Wilderness Skills/ Fire making and cooking (including 2 instructors plus equipment): £506 per day

NB. Groups with special needs may need to be smaller.

Groups with less than 16 participants may have a reduction of hire or venue fees.

Larger groups will require additional instructors (ratios are 1-8).

Outdoor activity day prices do not include transport costs