The Mountain Instructor Award is a high level award, equivalent to degree level. It involves an application process and all candidates must satisfy certain conditions before they can be registered. The Mountaineering Instructor Award trains and assesses candidates in the skills required for instructing mountaineering, including all aspects of summer rock climbing, including the coaching of lead climbing, and scrambling. It builds on the skills acquired in the Mountain Leader award, which candidates must hold. The Mountaineering Instructor Award is an extensively used professional award and holders must have extensive personal summer mountaineering experience, be competent in Summer mountaineering and rock climbing instructors (especially in multi-pitch situations) and the Assessment of risk and its application. They must be efficient in problem solving and rescue skills, have extensive knowledge of the Mountain Environment, National Awards, local accreditation schemes and have an interest and knowledge of the development and history of Mountaineering. Ali Taylor achieved the award in November 2010 and is a member of AMI – the Association of Mountaineering Instructors a professional body who insist on Continued Professional Development of at least 1 course per year. Ali Taylor often achieves 2 – 4 CPD courses per year.
As an MIA Ali Taylor is Course Director for the following National Governing Body Awards: CWI – Climbing Wall Instructor and CWDI – the Climbing Wall Development Instructor by Mountain Training. Both awards are indoor climbing instructor awards. Ali runs training and assessment courses in both these awards. The CWI is a basic instructor award that teaches group management, basic climbing and coaching techniques. The CWDI is a more advanced award and teaches instructors to teach lead climbing on artificial structures only.
The Mountain Leader enables award holders to operate the length and breadth of the country with groups of people; from scouts and schoolchildren to outdoor instructors and OAPs. Mountain Leaders need to be knowledgeable in Group Management, Navigation, Access and the environment, Hazards (including steep ground and rivers) and emergency procedures, Equipment, Expedition skills, Weather and Background Knowledge. Ali achieved this award in November 2007.
RSA Level 2 Route Setter – this qualification has been developed by The Route Setting Association, in order to develop and maintain high safety standards and quality route setting. Ali is now qualified to set unroped bouldering problems, and roped wall routes by setting a work line and a back up line. The course covers all PPE, health and safety issues and how to create interesting and challengeing routes that are suitable for the intended user and fun.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Assessor – allows Ali Taylor to supervise and assess Bronze, Silver and Gold Walking Expeditions including Practice Expeditions in all locations appropriate to the DofE Award level. She has particular knowledge of The Lake District, Snowdonia, The Peak District, The Brecon Beacons, The North Yorkshire Moors, The South Downs, The Forest of Dean, The Malvern Hills and Ashdown Forest.
NICAS – Technical Advisor/Site Specific Training and Course Director – The National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme is a UK wide scheme designed to promote climbing development and accredit individual achievement on artificial climbing structures. It can be used as a starting point for people wishing to take up climbing and mountaineering. It is open to all candidates aged 7 and upwards.
Rock Climbing Instructor – Ali Taylor achieved this in September 1995. Mountain Training is the National Governing body for all Climbing and Walking Activities in the UK. The RCI enables Climbing Instructors to work with groups/individuals on single pitch (less than one rope length) rock faces that are accessible from the top and bottom, are non tidal and considered non serious where clients can be lowered back to the ground. Award holders must be able to supervise and manage groups, build multiple safe belays and teach basic techniques.
Ali holds a Bachelor of Education Degree which she achieved in July 1982 at IM Marsh College of Physical Education in Liverpool. Her degree is a teaching degree in Physical Education – specialist dance and English. She has taught Dance, PE and Outdoor Education for over 36 years, achieved excellent teacher status – Performance Threshold Levels U1 and U2 and her last GCSE PE group achieved 100% A* -B.
Ali holds an outdoor First Aid qualification which is a minimum 3 day course. FA has to be renewed every 3 years to keep up to date with new developments. All the above Mountain qualifications need a current First Aid certificate to be valid. Ali’s First Aid Certificate is valid until May 2019.
Enhanced DBS – Disclosure and Barring Service – this has superseded the CRB check, which allows over 18’s to work with under 18’s. The DBS searches extensive databases to ascertain whether those persons who work with children are suitable to do so. An enhanced DBS is a more thorough investigation. Ali holds an enhanced DBS and has a meticulous record. The date of her most recent DBS is February 2018.