Southern Sandstone Leaders Award

Course Structure

The aim of this course is to provide the opportunity for Kent Teachers and Youth Leaders to be trained and assessed for the above award.

Progress through the scheme consists of 2 days training and 2 days assessment, with a minimum of 2 weeks between the training and assessment course.

Direct Assessment is available to candidates who already have substantial climbing experience and experience of supervising groups on Southern Sandstone and can provide written evidence that they meet the requirements for Assessment (except for attending a SSLA training course) as laid down in the Prospectus.

Staffing requirements:

Training: The principle Trainer must hold a valid MIA qualification and/or hold Single Pitch Award and be approved by the Outdoor Education Officer. All other Trainers must hold (minimum) the Single Pitch Award.
Maximum ratio - 1 to 6.

Assessment:

The Assessor must hold a valid MIA qualification, but may be assisted by holders of the (minimum) Single Pitch Award with considerable experience of Southern Sandstone and the SSLA.

All staffing must be approved by the Outdoor Education Officer. The Outdoor Education Officer is the County's authorising Officer for course approval and certification.

The qualification is valid for 4 years. During the final year the holder must attend a 1day revalidation course. This course must be run by an MIA (min) on Southern Sandstone.
The revalidation will run from the expiry date of the previous validation.

It is desirable to use two different crags on the Training course.

All certificates must be signed by an MIC/MIA and the Outdoor Education Officer, the accepted authorising signature on behalf of Kent County Council.

The course syllabus has been developed in line with the South East Region Rockclimbing training and assessment programme for teachers and youth leaders, but also reflects the fact that the Single Pitch Award is a nationally recognised award. The standards of the course are such that they directly compare with those of other counties in the South East.

It is recommended that assessors from neighbouring counties are invited to become part of the assessment team in order to ensure that standards are monitored.
The Course is part of the progressive scheme (see below) for teachers and youth leaders who wish to take KCC young people rockclimbing:

KCC Southern Sandstone Leaders Award
Single Pitch Award (SPA)
Mountain Instructor Award (MIA) Summer

It should be noted that the KCC Southern Sandstone Leaders Award is not recognised locally or nationally as an appropriate qualification for those wishing to coach on artificial climbing walls and structures.

Holders of the KCC Southern Sandstone Leaders Award must be encouraged to keep an up to date record of both their personal climbing and teaching sessions. This evidence will be required for any future revalidation. Logbooks will be issued as part of the scheme.

A database of all qualified Leaders will be held at BWOC.