World record holder Masha Gordon's Grit & Rock programme has just culminated in a fantastic five day challenge in Chamonix, France which took place over the half term.

World record holder Masha Gordon launched a confidence-boosting programme with a group of 30 students here at the academy back in October with the aim to tackling the 'bravery deficit' experienced by teenage girls and it has just culminated in a fantastic five day challenge in Chamonix, France which took place over the half term.

The GRIT & ROCK project, founded by Masha herself, was designed to inspire young women through challenge and adventure to develop their self-confidence and build upon their self-esteem. Throughout the academic year, students from Year 10 and Post 16 have been participating in a range of adventurous activities including rock climbing, high ropes and mountain walking alongside completing food nutrition sessions, resilience building activities and creativity workshops. These activities all helped our students to prepare for the ultimate challenge in Chamonix.

In Chamonix, the students participated in indoor and outdoor rock climbing, and mountaineering including walking in the snow and learning how to use ice axes and crampons, as well as an overnight expedition to a mountain refuge.

Overall, it was an incredibly successful visit. The activities were not easy and the girls were challenged in many ways. When the thoughts of carrying on became too much to bear, the girls found their inner strength and persevered successfully completing the challenges.

The girls were a real credit to the academy and fully embraced the project. Well done to all involved!