Students at St John’s in Marlborough will be reaching new heights after the official opening of the climbing wall in its sports hall.

It has been funded by the St John’s Foundation Trust and by the school, and will make a significant addition to PE and Sport provision within the academy.

Kit Dillon, Head of PE at St John’s said: “We will be using the wall in lessons as part of an ‘Outdoor Adventurous Activities’ scheme of work for all year groups, students will be taught to safely belay each other, as well as the key climbing skills. Climbing not only builds students muscular strength and endurance, it is also an excellent way to develop problem solving skills, resilience and team work”

The wall is big enough to allow groups of ten students to climb at the same time, so will become a routine part of the school’s PE curriculum. St John’s will also offer after-school and lunchtime clubs in January, to enable any interested students to train in a smaller setting.

The climbing wall has ten roped climbs, with a maximum height of 7.5m.

St John’s is working in a Sport England funded programme o build positive attitudes to PE among students.