INTREPID King’s Ely students reached new heights during an action-packed climbing trip to Spain.
The fun-filled expedition saw two teams of young adventurers, made up of both boys and girls, tackling a variety of challenging climbing areas in the scenic Calpe, Guadalest and Gandia regions.
The trip was organised through the Ely Scheme, which is unique to King’s Ely, offering boundless opportunities for pupils to explore and learn through outdoor education.
Director of Outdoor Education at King’s Ely, Sophie Cheng, said: “The trip to Spain was part of our Level 3 climbing club structure, where pupils can learn how to become a competent climber over a series of trips throughout each of the levels. The style of climbing was specifically sport climbing; lead climbing with pre-placed bolts.”
The Ely Scheme aims to build important life skills that cannot always be taught in the classroom. While most independent schools have an outdoor pursuits programme, the Ely Scheme is both unique and central to the whole King’s Ely experience, as young people are given tangible opportunities to push themselves to achieve beyond anything they ever thought possible.
The aim is to develop each individual student through outdoor education and adventurous activity, concentrating on eight major elements: personal skills; self-confidence; teamwork; leadership skills; social and environmental awareness; problem solving; ability to cope with difficult situations and healthy respect for nature and the outdoors.
Sophie added: “At King’s Ely, we teach a progressive programme of outdoor education, beginning with a year of activities and camps in Year 9. The programme focuses on delivering technical skills and knowledge within mountaineering, rock climbing and kayaking at a pace suitable for each individual. In Year 11, the students have the opportunity to become instructors themselves, becoming inspiration role models for those starting the scheme in Year 9.
“As all of our expeditions and trips are facilitated in-house, we can provide consistent, long-term training and development for our pupils, as our team of staff and instructors know each member’s strengths and abilities prior to undertaking any of our expeditions.”