![\"Torquay](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Torquay_Boys__Grammar_School_principal_James_Hunt_at_the_climbing_wall_opening-1775306511226.JPG\")
<\/p>\nA new state-of-the-art \u00a3100,000 climbing wall at Torquay Boys’ Grammar School is already transforming how students engage with sport, while showcasing the power of community fundraising and inspiring future athletes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The facility has been four years in the making and is the result of a sustained effort from students, parents, staff and supporters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Headteacher Dr James Hunt said at the official opening of the wall that\u00a0 the idea was born out of a need to revitalise the school\u2019s ageing sports provision.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe noticed our facilities were starting to look a bit tired, and we wanted to reinvigorate what we could offer,\u201d he explained. \u201cWe don\u2019t receive significant government funding for projects like this, so everything we do relies on our community.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fundraising efforts ranged from car boot sales and school events to sponsored runs led by students. A \u201cgrab-a-hold\u201d campaign also invited families to sponsor individual climbing holds, leaving a permanent mark on the wall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Support from Sport England, which contributed \u00a315,000 through its Movement Fund, helped push the project over the finish line.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Torquay](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Torquay_Boys_Grammar_School_head_of_PE_Adam_Last_at_the_climbing_wall_opening-1775306541996.JPG\")
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Torquay Boys’Grammar School head of PE Adam Last at the climbing wall opening<\/strong><\/p>\n For Head of Physical Education Adam Last, the wall represents more than just a new facility, it\u2019s a chance to broaden opportunities and inspire students who may not connect with traditional sports.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe want every child to develop a lifelong love of physical activity,\u201d he said. \u201cSome students naturally gravitate towards rugby, football or cricket, but this gives others a chance to find something they might truly enjoy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Previously, students had to travel off-site to access climbing facilities such as The Boulder Bunker and Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre, often at additional cost. The new on-site wall removes that barrier, making the sport more accessible to all.\u00a0<\/p>\n Designed for a range of abilities, the wall includes beginner-friendly routes as well as more advanced challenges. Older students will also learn technical skills such as belaying, encouraging teamwork and trust.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not just about climbing,\u201d Mr Last added. \u201cIt\u2019s about communication, confidence and working together. When you\u2019re on the wall, you\u2019re relying on someone else to keep you safe.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n TBGS pupils try out the new wall<\/strong><\/p>\n The response from students has already exceeded expectations. More than 100 pupils signed up to use the wall on its first day.<\/p>\n \u201cWe thought we might get 20 or 30,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen 140 signed up, we were gobsmacked. What\u2019s been brilliant is seeing students who aren\u2019t involved in traditional team sports getting stuck in and really enjoying it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Adding to the significance of the launch, former student Fin Kerswell, now an international climber representing Great Britain, returned to officially open the facility along with fellow ex-pupil Alfie Collier.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fin began climbing at the age of 10 after attending a birthday party, and said access to facilities was key to his progression.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe hardest part is stepping off the floor for the first time, just getting into a facility and giving it a go,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat students here now have is that opportunity right in front of them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n He hopes the wall will inspire others to take their first steps into the sport, just as he once did.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone here is incredibly fortunate,\u201d he said. \u201cIt opens the door to something they might fall in love with, and there\u2019s no limit to where it could lead.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Torbay MP Steve Darling also praised the project, highlighting its wider impact on young people in the area.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a fantastic addition for young people in Torbay,\u201d he said. \u201cProjects like this not only promote physical health, but also teamwork and resilience. Huge congratulations to the school and everyone involved in making it happen.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n A TBGS pupil reaches new heights on the new wall<\/strong><\/p>\n For Dr Hunt, the project is about more than sport, it\u2019s about connection.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis has shown what can happen when a community comes together,\u201d he said. \u201cParents, students, staff and alumni have all played a part. The more we can open our doors and share opportunities like this, the stronger our community becomes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n With plans to integrate the wall into lessons, offer clubs, and open access to the wider community, including local primary schools, the facility is set to become a lasting asset for Torbay.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A new state-of-the-art \u00a3100,000 climbing wall at Torquay Boys’ Grammar School is already transforming how students engage with…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":871987,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5018,3,4],"tags":[748,393,4884,1144,712,116739,77611,16,15,1764],"class_list":["post-871986","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-britain","category-uk","category-united-kingdom","tag-britain","tag-england","tag-great-britain","tag-northern-ireland","tag-scotland","tag-torbay","tag-torquay","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-wales"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/116347629028062344","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871986","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=871986"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871986\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/871987"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=871986"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=871986"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=871986"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"TBGS](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/TBGS_pupils_try_out_the_new_wall-1775306601927.JPG\")
<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A_TBGS_pupil_reaches_new_heights_on_the_new_wall-1775306652118.JPG\")
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