A host of pupils managed to secure a notable distinction thanks to a sterling effort outside of their comfort zone.

No fewer than 20 members of the Year 7 and 8 groups completed their National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS) Level 1 Award thanks to a successful assessment process.

Rana Abou-Samra, Ceylin Buckley, Jack Dougherty, Amber England-Bryant, Louis Hollingsworth, Safa Maqsood, Flur Pierce, Ben Sinfield and Gracie Tavernor were the Year 7 pupils that managed to achieve the feat.

Year 8 pupils Jonah Craddock, Corso Cramerotti, Harry Fardoe, Liam Farrell, James Gilman, India Livingstone, James Mann, Evan Martin, Jake McDonald, Harrison McKinnel and Ella Northcott also achieved the same feat after demonstrating tremendous work ethic and dedication throughout.

Each pupil spent considerable time at the Indoor Climbing Centre in Llandudno Junction during their weekly Outdoor Education sessions with Dr Jim Lewis in order to achieve the qualification.

Senior School head Sally-Ann Harding, said: “Experiences such as these are vital for our young pupils in terms of boosting their confidence and overall development.

“Our outdoor education programme is something we are enormously proud of here at Rydal Penrhos, and it is something our enthusiastic pupils really make the most out of, whether it be the smallest Pre-School child or a Year 13 Sixth Former.”