Adventure attractions specialists Innovative Leisure have been making strides within the education sector by installing climbing walls that are both fun and beneficial for students’ physical development.
The climbing wall is a great addition to the school. I like that you can time yourself and the climbing gets harder towards the end
says Theo, a year 6 student at Kings Worthy primary school in Winchester.
His enthusiasm highlights the immediate engagement and enjoyment the new Traversing Wall has brought to the playground.
The installation at Kings Worthy Primary is the latest in Innovative Leisure’s ongoing efforts to enhance educational environments. The turnkey installation of the traversing wall is designed to support the school’s gymnastics and outdoor adventurous games curriculum.
Climbing incorporates many of the gymnastic skills the children learn in school and this resource provides a unique opportunity to showcase their movement, balance and agility skills in a more exciting way
explains Mr Brewster, a teacher at the school
Innovative Leisure’s climbing wall solutions are becoming a popular addition to schools and educational facilities across the country, aligning with the growing trend of integrating adventurous activities into education and popularity of climbing as an Olympic sport.
More than just fun and games!
Osteopath and owner of Up Climbing on Guernsey Dimi Argyros, talked about the benefits of climbing for young children in an article for the Bailiwick Times.
As soon as you climb you start to use your core stability muscles. It uses hand eye coordination; it strengthens the fingers, so it helps improve handwriting. There are psychological benefits to it as well and it is very mindful, so it helps from a decreasing stress perspective
The benefits of climbing are also being recognized by the wider educational community. The Field Studies Council in Shrewsbury have recently taken delivery of a 7.3m 4-person auto belay climbing tower which will be used for students to relax and have some fun after a long day in the field.
I am happy to say that Keith and the Innovative Leisure team were and are very easy to work with. The purchasing of the wall was a clear process with our options explained throughout.
Advice on set up was gratefully received and very importantly the initial safety instruction and ongoing compliance requirements were made simple for us
commented Mike Etherington, head of education and operations (north)
LOtC Quality badge awarded
Another Innovative Leisure client, Reading Borough Councils` Ranger Station at Prospect Park, was recently awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge. This was assessed against the adventurous activity framework and their alternative provision.
Innovative Leisure was awarded the contract for two elements of our activity centre, which was developed to expand the scope of our educational play support and leisure activities. As part of our Ranger Station Activity site development, Innovative Leisure installed a coconut climbing tree tower and a Sky Tykes low ropes course. The team has been incredibly committed, helping our service integrate these new facilities through training, compliance support, and ongoing advice. These facilities have supported our ability to broaden the range of activities we offer to both the public and our educational services.
explains Dan Peters, service manager at Reading Education Play.
After presenting the LOtC award, Dr. Anne Hunt, CEO of LOtC, stated
Educational visits are among the most memorable experiences in a child’s school life. The LOtC Quality Badge offers teachers reassurance that the venue provides high-quality educational experiences and has appropriate risk management structures in place, meaning less paperwork for schools and peace of mind for teachers. I congratulate Reading Borough Council’s Ranger Station on being awarded the LOtC Quality Badge.
