Thanks to their successful Adventure Award applications, several pupils were able to take their climbing to the next level, using the funding to purchase new equipment and support their progression. A handful of pupils were awarded support to travel to the International School of Mountaineering in Switzerland or Plas Y Brenin in North Wales.

The Adventure Award is an Old Stopfordian-funded grant that helps pupils pursue challenging outdoor and adventure activities by providing financial support for training, equipment, travel and development opportunities.

International School of Mountaineering

Four pupils travelled independently to the International School of Mountaineering, organising their own travel, insurance and place on the course.This seven-day trip included five days out in alpine terrain learning new skills and developing pre-existing skills further, all whilst being based in an alpine hut.

Living at altitude for the week and under the instruction of their guide, they traversed glaciers, ice climbed, summitted peaks and practice crevasse rescue amongst other things. As an experience it offers a wealth of learning, not just the technical skills, but the ability to be independent, travel, and all that encompasses.

Iwan B said: “It was an absolutely amazing experience, allowing us all to build on our mountaineering skills and try new things. From walking along ridges and glaciers, to ice climbing and rescuing each other from crevasses, everything we did was unique and useful. Overall, it was a really fun week.”

Grace S added: “The course was an amazing experience that I would highly recommend to anyone who has an interest in the outdoors as it comes with many new adventures that are not always accessible in England. My favourite part about it was the new experience of walking in crampons up a glacier, which is something I hope to do again in the future.”

Plas y Brenin

Caitlin H was lucky enough to have taken part in the International School of Mountaineering course last year and continued to show great commitment to climbing in and out of school as Climbing Club Captain, attending outdoor trips and representing the school in competitions.

She was able to attend a course at Plas Y Brenin that was dedicated to learning to lead climb on traditional gear – the most complex form of lead climbing on rock.

Throughout the week she visited multiple venues on different rock types under the guidance of the instructors. As a competent sport climber, Caitlin was in a great position to take on the instructions and really develop. Going from roadside venues to the committed sea cliffs of Gogarth on Anglesey is no small achievement!

She commented: “I had so much fun on the Plas Y Brenin course! It was honestly amazing, we did so much trad leading and even went to the sea cliffs where we had to repel down to the bottom.

“I really enjoyed the people on the course as well and the instructors were really awesome. I’m really pleased and grateful I got to go on the course.”

Reflecting on the pupils’ amazing experiences, Outdoor Education Co-ordinator Mr Adam Hughes added: “Hopefully the new skills, and their passion for climbing and the outdoors continue as they move on with their journeys – I look forward to updates along the way. We are grateful to the Old Stopfordians who have made this Award possible.”