The Primary School Climbing Experience
Climbing Wall Coaching Development in Scottish Primary Schools
An Introductory Workshop from the MCofS to help children and teachers get the most from their School Traversing Walls
Many Primary Schools across Scotland have, in recent years, invested in the building of small climbing facilities. These are usually built onto retaining walls within playgrounds. The MCofS is supporting the continuing development of these walls as it offers an opportunity for children to try the sport of climbing as a part of general ‘play’, without the difficulties and expense of travel to large regional climbing facilities or outdoor crags.
We aim to make, what for many children will be their first climbing experience, an enjoyable and exciting introduction that will enthuse them to take up climbing as a sport later in life. It is important for schools to maximise the use of climbing facilities and to be able to show children how to get the most from their school climbing wall. It is also important to teach them good technique at an early stage: ‘The FUNdamentals of Climbing’ and these workshops, offered by the MCofS, give teachers an introduction to these FUNdamental skills whilst showing them just what is possible on their climbing walls.
Aim:
- To deliver a 1-day inclusive workshop for staff and students in the use of traversing walls in line with the curriculum for excellence for outdoor learning.
- To maximise the use of the climbing wall facility.
- To enable supervised / coached sessions in schools by teachers, assistants etc.
- To encourage unsupervised play in climbing at school (break / lunch).
- To increase awareness of climbing within teaching profession.
- To increase the numbers of adults trained in basic climbing coaching.
Who is it for?:
Teachers, Students, Active School Coordinators, Class Room Assistants and School Council Coaches and Parents (transferable skills to other sports).
Course:
- Health & Safety in use of the wall (Teachers, ASC, Class Room Assistants and Coaches).
- Introduction to climbing coaching (Teachers, ASC, Class Room Assistants and Coaches).
- FUNdamentals of Climbing Introduction [including Games and Movement] (All).
Workshop Structure:
- Coaching input: include P1 – P7 students in attendance with staff.
- Duration: 45min sessions / class (in line with class timetable – by arrangement).
- Group size: max 100 children / day.
Resources:
Primary School Climbing Resource Pack (1 hard copy / school & available as pdf).
(Containing information on: How do Primary schools fit into the climbing pathway / The ABC of Climbing / Climbing Games / Going beyond the School wall / The Climbing Community / Developing Coaching in Climbing Skills.
Follow-up:
- Feedback on usage from School (estimate of usage of wall).
- Next-steps (Resource Pack / follow-up coaching sessions / NICAS / FUNdamentals).
Cost:
- The course costs £145 for the day.
- However, MCofS is offering a subsidy of £50.
- Total Cost: £95.
Contact:
- The Structure of the day can be organised in liaison with the MCofS Coach to suit individual schools.
Coach:
- Graeme Morrison Mountaineering (MCofS Endorsed Provider for FUNdamentals of Climbing 1).
Booking:
- Bookings and payment must be made through the MCofS.
- Please contact the MCofS Development Officer in the first instance.
