Climbing can be a great escape. Heading down to the local wall with a group of friends, followed by a swift pint at the pub is a regular occurance for many of us, but what we often don't think about is the other benefits that climbing brings. It can introduce us to new friends, boost our confidence after completing a conquest we've been working on and even improve the way we communicate with one another when belaying or spotting. The Pivot Academy want to utilse all the benefits we get from climbing by taking their special needs students climbing, and with a little help of some funds for climbing gear from the Alpkit Foundation, they're going to do just that.
The Pivot Academy is an independent school in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. the Academy provides specialist education for young people with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties.As part of an ongoing project, The Pivot Academy are aiming to make climbing courses a part of the curriculum, giving every young person who attends the Academy the opportunity to experience the great sport of climbing.
The young people who attend the academy all have Special Educational Needs (SEN) and have been excluded from mainstream school. The classroom environment has been proven not to work for these young people and the climbing courses have wide ranging benefits for the young people who attend them. From overcoming challenges and building confidence to developing trust of their peers and developing their communication skills. The team at Pivot aim to break negative cycles by promoting and celebrating success and developing an appreciation of the outdoors.
The Academy has a capacity of 20 young people per year and aims to continually offer a mixed programme of activities to all pupils, and we're wishing them all the best!