Sandstone Group Website
What do I do if I want to gain the Southern Sandstone Award?
Follow these steps:
1. You need to be over 17 to commence training, and have an interest in climbing as well as some experience in climbing. As a guideline, you should have completed a minimum of 20 climbs and be able to climb at a standard of 4a on the sandstone. You may not take your assessment until you are 18 years old.
2. Download the log book from the downloads page and complete it.
3. See if there is a training course coming up soon from the Course Providers and Dates page
4. If there is, download the application form for a course from the downloads page. Follow the instructions and send the form to Plumpton College.
5. Attend your course. To help you, there is a set of notes called 'Training Course Information for Candidates' on the downloads page.
6. At the end of your course, your instructor will tell you what you need to do next. This will depend on your level of experience and ability. Your name will be sent to Plumpton College to be entered on the database as a candidate who has completed training. This is not a qualification, please do not attempt to use it as such or to represent yourself as someone who is able to instruct climbing yet.
7. At the appropriate stage dependent on what you have been advised, sign up for an Assessment Course in the same way as you did for a Training Course.
When you apply for an assessment course for the first time, to prove your interest and current experience you will need a reference from a holder of one of these climbing awards: SSSA, SPA, MIA, MIC, Guide. This reference must include a phone number or email so that we can contact your referee.
8. At the end of the Assessment, you will be given a Pass, Fail or Deferral. Your result will be sent to Plumpton College to be entered on the database.
9.
a) If you have passed, you may instruct groups within the guidelines of the Sandstone Award.
b) If you have been deferred, you must address the issue as your assessor directs, then contact your assessor when you have completed the requirements. Your assessor, if satisfied, will contact Plumpton College to amend your entry on the database to 'Passed'.
c) If you have failed, you may re-take the assessment. No part of your previous assessment will count towards your new assessment, positively or negatively. The maximum number of assessments you may present yourself for is three.
10. If you disagree with your result you may appeal. The Sandstone Group has an Appeals Group which will consider your appeal. This group meets ad hoc and has no set procedure; it is elected by the members of the Sandstone Group. Contact the Sandstone Group directly to lodge your appeal.
11. Continue to complete your log book after you have been assessed.
12. You must revalidate after 4 years from the date of your assessment. This involves sending your logbook to your assessor, who will then have the database updated if he/she deems your logbook to contain sufficient current experience.
If you have completed SPA training or assessment or the Climbing Wall Award within the 4 years, evidence of this will be sufficient for revalidation for the SSSA. However, if you have gained the SPA (assessment) you won't really need the SSSA - but if you want to keep it anyway, you may do so by showing your SPA pass page.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Does the SSSA also allow me to teach abseiling?
No - as abseiling is banned on Southern Sandstone, there is no need to include it in this award which is designed for sandstone outcrops. Organisations wanting candidates to complete abseiling training should organise their own in-house qualification.
Does the SSSA also allow me to teach in climbing walls?
No - however, many local walls in the region may accept the SSSA as an award allowing you to teach in their wall - but it is up to the wall.