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The hour shot by, but Ben emphasised the importance of numerous valuable ‘life skills’, such as determination and perseverance, teamwork, overcoming adversity, and not being afraid of failure; challenging the pupils to reflect upon their own lives, and the direction they should be aiming for.  A great start to the lecture programme for the 5th year running, thanks Ben

Tom Underwood - Head of 6th Form - Warminster School - February 2018

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Many thanks indeed for today, Ben: it was a superb presentation. As somebody who has seen and heard many speakers over the course of my years in charge of our weekly lecture programme, I have no hesitation in putting you up there with the very best of the bunch.

Andrew Grimshaw - Master-in-charge of Sixth-Form lecture programme - Bedford School - October 2017

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Ben is a firm fixture for our ‘Alternative Curriculum’ days, recently visiting us for the eighth year running. His slick, fast moving presentation engaged our Year 10’s throughout, not always an easy task. Thanks again!

 

Stephen Godfrey - Hemsworth Arts & Community College - Wakefield - October 2017

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Thank you so much for visiting us (for your 6th time) and giving such a brilliant talk today. As I said, it is the first time I have seen students gather round the speaker at the end and ask for selfies! 

Thank you again, it was inspiring for us all.

Cathy Noble - St Edmunds College - Herts - September 2017

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The girls were literally on the edge of their seats, in absolute awe of all you’ve achieved. We couldn’t have wished for a more exciting and engaging talk to celebrate our Founders Day, so a very big thank you indeed.                                    

Anna Morgan - Director of Marketing and Admissions - Heathfield School - Ascot - March 2017

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For someone who has achieved superhuman feats, Ben is incredibly down to earth and humble!  His talk was a huge success with our sixth form and with the staff who came, leaving some really important food for thought.  A talk that will live long in the memory!

Andrew Hobbs - Head of Sixth Form - Downside - Bath - January 2017

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Not only is Ben a world class climber with a string of impressive achievements, he speaks with clarity, passion and humility. He is an inspirational person and speaker whose enthusiasm for climbing, and its lessons for life, are at the heart of his being.

Dr EJN Russell - Eton College - April 2016

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Thank you so much, once again, for yesterday’s talk – it was totally inspiring and kept the pupils enthralled from start to finish (and they can be a “lively” lot on occasion so especially well done!).

Fiona Murphy - PAL Tracking Tutor - Aberdour School - January 2016

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I have to say this was one of the most impressive talks I have heard during my career as a teacher. Ben’s passion for climbing and his extraordinary achievement as a climber really struck a chord with the pupils. His delivery was excellent, and he engaged brilliantly with the boys and girls of the seven schools who came. I cannot recommend him highly enough.

Oliver Marlow - Eastbourne College - June 2015

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Ben’s talk was nothing less than genuinely inspiring leaving the audience astonished, and evidently very moved. In some ways the climbing details and the location were the side story: the real depth came in the human story of overcoming personal challenge and using experience, failure and long odds to accomplish staggering feats. This talk may well push a lot of people to move in very interesting directions!

Matt Gibson - Housemaster - Glanalmond College - Perth - February 2015

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Ben gave a fantastic motivational talk to launch the year. The inspiring parallels between Ben’s story and the demands which A levels will make on our students was a very powerful metaphor, and has made a distinct impact on the students.  I can wholeheartedly recommend him.

John Parsons - Head of 6th Form - Newstead Wood - Bromley - September 2014

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The girls LOVED your story and the messages Ben! They are a tough crew to impress so thank you and well done! I loved it too!

Jayne Wright - Wycombe Abbey School - June 2014

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The pupils were all very excited by your visit, and I’m sure the insights they gained will prove invaluable in helping guide them on to brighter futures.

Andy Smith - Woodchurch High School - Wirral - January 2014

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Ben’s talk was warmly received by our students and staff. He was assured, confident and extremely well prepared. He pitched his talk at just the right level for my students and his experiences really captured the imagination of the students. We are all looking forward to finding out about his future adventures.

Alec Ilersic - Head of Year 7 - Brockington College - Leicester - November 2013

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You blended the perfect mix of fun with a serious message; a fantastically well told story, with a genuine passion to succeed - in any walk of life. It certainly gave me a needed blast of enthusiasm, and I know the pupils felt the same.

Deb Loveridge - Deputy Headteacher - Crispin School - Somerset - October 2013

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Ben came to talk to our year 8 students about ‘Being Their Best’ as part of our Inspiration programme. Not only did he leave them amazed and inspired, but he made them question their perception of the 'everyday', and what people can do if they really put their minds to it!

Ms Catherine Hensby - PDL Coordinator - Wyvern College - October 2013

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Ben delivered an inspiring motivational presentation that clearly engaged every pupil in the audience. Whether you had an interest in climbing or not, the pupils were effortlessly able to relate to the challenge that Ben and his team achieved.

Dafydd Jones - Assistant Head of Sixth Form - Warwick School - July 2013

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I just wanted to say a massive thank you for both the coaching and the talk.  Our pupils really enjoyed it and could not stop talking about your adventures during the days afterwards.

Russell McAlinden - Head of Outdoor Education & D of E Manager - The Leys School - Cambridge - April 2013

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Ben delivered five talks to Years 9, 10, 11, 12 & 13 during an intensive day at Hawarden. The feedback from students, of all ages and abilities, concerning his well-illustrated presentation, was positive and certainly promoted high aspirations amongst our students.

Roger Davies - Headteacher - Hawarden High School - Deeside - February 2013

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Can I just say how delighted we were with your visit to Mount Grace last week.  Spending the day with us, to speak to our Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils, you clearly had a very positive effect and I constantly refer to the key points you made in our assemblies.  As a launch of our drive to widen horizons in the land-locked Midlands, your input was engaging, thought-provoking and full of challenge.

John Thomas - Headteacher - Mount Grace - Leicester - September 2012

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Ben’s magnificent presentation captured the imagination of everyone who had the pleasure of watching it. It had a positive impact on staff and students alike and certainly ‘hit the spot’ with Year 11 at a time motivation needs to be at an all time high. A great day, thank you.

Jan Jones - Deputy Headteacher - The Grange School - Aylesbury - March 2012

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Ben's true strength is judging his audience and pitching his lectures accordingly. It was Ben's second lecture at Colfe's and the students' found his story engaging, uplifting, humorous and thought-provoking. The talk is supported with stunning visuals which kept our Year12's hooked throughout.

Craig Foxall - Head of General Studies & Sixth Form Enrichment - Colfes School, London - March 2012

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Ben was a highly engaging speaker who held the attention of the students throughout the account of his experiences. I thought the messages that came out from his presentation were very pertinent to students about to embark on the challenges of sixth form study, and the photos were amazing!

Michael Bourne - Head of Sixth Form - Herschel Grammar School - July 2011

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Ben was more than happy to shape his presentation to fit in with the needs of our "creative curriculum", stressing the key concepts we were promoting. The students and staff were gripped by his achievement, as the number of questions at the end clearly showed. Thanks for such a fantastic and inspiring presentation!

Andy Field - The Harris Middle School - Lowestoft - November 2010

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Our school is in a deprived area and often children have low self esteem and really don't think about aiming high. Ben's inspirational and exiting talk, to our Year 11 students, really made the children think about what they could actually achieve in their own lives - if they put their minds to it. Absolutely brilliant - a truly great guy who has achieved a great deal and knew how to engage the students.

Helen Anderson - Gifted and Talented co-coordinator - The Denes High School, Lowestoft - October 2010

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Ben is possibly almost as good a speaker as he is a climber. He has exactly the right manner to inspire young people – gentle, funny yet quietly authoritative. His description of his ascent of Angel Falls is truly astonishing and at times the photos of his trip leave you feeling decidedly queasy! I would recommend him to anyone – he is superb. Book him and see – you won’t regret it!

Maggie McCann - St Edmunds College, Herts - October 2010