Why
book 'The Climbing Hangar Reading' with The Climbing Hangar for School Trips and Educational Visits?
Bouldering is great for helping to develop fine and gross motor skills, communication and listening skills, problem-solving, and many other skills important for the early and ongoing development of young people.
Climbing is problem-solving: it’s all about finding a route to the top of the wall and executing the moves to get you there.
Our philosophy is to make progress through play. Young climbers could discover a pathway to international competition and a world of adventure through climbing but should have fun in classes no matter what.
Children can work towards NICAS certification during our sessions. Find out more about NICAS below.
The bottom line is this: we think climbing is great, and we want as many people to enjoy it as possible. That’s why we’re inviting YOU and your classes to discover indoor climbing at TCH.
Teacher Checklist
Risk Assessments Inspection Visits
What activities are available during group visits?
At TCH, we specialise in a type of climbing called “bouldering”.
Bouldering means no ropes. What this means is all of the climbing, all of the time. Not having to rely on others to hold ropes which means no spotlight on individuals (who may be reluctant or anxious). There is a relevant level of challenge for anyone who attends, from absolute beginners to experts.
Here's an example of a school climbing group session:
• You will start with a safety briefing and be fitted out with appropriate climbing shoes
• An introduction to our grading system will be next so your pupils can see each level of difficulty
• You will be able to explore different styles of climbing throughout the centre at a level that is appropriate to each individual
• The coach will give you some expert tips on how to improve your movement
• There will be lots of games included in the session, and as well as being fun, these will also work to improve general fitness or a more specific climbing skill
• The sessions can be used to work on team building and other areas of development as requested. Just speak to the coach at your local centre
From warm-up games and coordination challenges to the riot of fun that takes place on the wall, climbing at the Hangar rarely feels like a lesson. It’s also highly sociable because we might attempt to climb alone, but we often go climbing together.
That time spent on the mat between climbs is as much a part of the experience as anything else and it’s all a part of the friendly and supportive environment we work hard to nurture.
Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?
Physical Education topics: Climbing.
Climbing develops fundamental movement skills in children and allows them to flex their mental muscles, too, as they plan the best route to the top of the wall.
The Hangar specialises in indoor climbing for everybody. Children, male or female, of all shapes and sizes, can have fun and feel welcome in the gym.
But don’t take our word for it, let’s hear from the UK’s most successful competition climber:
Multiple-time bouldering world champion, and Hangar ambassador, Shauna Coxsey MBE, is Britain’s first-ever Olympic climber, after competing at The Tokyo 2021 Games.
Now, she works to inspire a new generation to follow in her footsteps.
“I’ve been climbing at TCH since I was a kid and it's still my home gym."
"Some climbing walls spend all their time and effort on the harder climbs, to cater to lifelong climbers, but TCH wants everybody to get the same thrill. And it isn’t all about climbing. You go to the Hangar for climbing, but you stay for the people. You feel at home and you're always welcomed with a smile."
PSHE topics: Teamwork and resilience.
With a shift to more sedentary lifestyles since the pandemic, young people need physical, mental, and sociable exercise more than ever before.
Indoor bouldering offers all of these benefits.
Team Building
Climbing might be a solo sport, but it is an excellent team activity.
For every child on the wall, there are several on the safety mats providing encouragement, advice, and support, promoting teamwork and cooperation skills.
What size groups do you cater for?
We can accommodate big numbers including whole classes and above.
Individual groups are a 1 – 10 ratio for schools per instructor.
More than 10, we'll just bring in more coaches.
Do you offer on-site classroom facilities?
Please speak to our crew for further info.
Is there first aid on site?
All staff are first aid trained.
Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?
No one is excluded from attending the Hangar. Contact us directly to discuss individual needs and access.
Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
As before, no one is excluded from attending the Hangar. Contact us directly to discuss individual needs and access.
Anything else?
If you want your students to gain a nationally recognised award and have some fun in the process, our NICAS (National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme) courses are perfect for your pupils.
A course of six weeks will provide opportunities to learn safety, etiquette, and technique, and will put your students on the path to becoming athletes in one of the fastest-growing, and newest Olympic sports.
We offer the first 3 Levels of the course, ranging from beginner to intermediate, and from there students can choose to pursue the final two levels at their own pace (for some, this is something they might pursue into adulthood).
NICAS is the perfect way to introduce an exciting alternative sport into a program of Physical Education lessons for an entire term. It can also provide a framework fulfilling the sports section of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Perhaps most importantly, however, NICAS could be the gateway to climbing adventures all over the world.
This content is hosted by YouTube. By watching this video, your browser will receive cookies from youtube.com
Who are The Climbing Hangar?
We are a nationwide chain of bouldering gyms dedicated to boosting physical and mental health through indoor climbing.
The Hangar is committed to creating a low barrier to entry for newcomers, but a high ceiling of accomplishment for kids who catch the climbing bug. This will allow to bring new people to the sport, and make them happier, healthier and better connected to like minded peers.
The Climbing Hangar Reading features a large climbing space, a dedicated training area, and a team of NICAS-certified climbing coaches.
Teachers interested in this
The Climbing Hangar
trip also viewed the learning experiences below.
We are bursting with ideas on places that deliver first class teaching both outside the classroom and as in-school workshops. Feel free to use our tailor-made trip form and we can help you find the perfect experience for your class!