The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is a varied programme of activities that can be taken by anyone aged 14 to 24 regardless of ability.  Around 275,000 young people are taking part in the DofE programmes at any one time in the UK. Participants select and set objectives in 5 areas; volunteering, physical, skills, expedition and residential. The programmes are at three progressive levels which, if successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award and the time taken to complete the programmes range between one and four years depending on the route taken.

Following extensive training and practice over several months, our students have had another extremely successful year across all levels of the DofE Award.

During the Easter holidays, 47 Gold Award students tackled routes in the wild areas of the Cambrian Mountains in mid-Wales over four days for their qualifying expedition.  Students explored the heights of Plynlimon and the Elan Valley through a mixture of good and bad weather.  On the final day of their expedition, the sun shone as the nine teams reached the coast at Borth, where they cooled their tired feet with a paddle in the Irish Sea.

At the end of May, 15 students were invited to Buckingham Palace to receive their Gold Award certificates.  During the near 18-month journey, our students explored new skills, challenges and opportunities to enhance their knowledge and abilities in five areas: volunteering, physical, skills, expedition and residential activities. Congratulations to Harry, Dominic, Michalina, Annabel, Adam, Dylan, Daisy, Heidi, Kit, René, Cooper, Grace, Rachel, Max and Rosie for completing the Award!

Near the end of June, 45 Silver Award students completed their three-day qualifying expedition in the New Forest.  The teams had a fantastic time and managed to avoid the thunderstorms that were forecast.

Finally, in early July, five of our Gold Award students (Adam, Cooper, Rosie, Max and Grace) were presented with certificates by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire at a ceremony for Hampshire Gold Award holders in the Great Hall in Winchester. As well as receiving her award, Rosie gave a great presentation about her residential trip to Morocco.

Congratulations to all of our DofE students and we look forward to hearing all about your next adventures.