Duke of Edinburgh

We are delighted to share the ongoing journey of our Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) cohort this year. An impressive 81 Remove pupils are currently enrolled in the Silver programme, demonstrating excellent commitment, resilience, and enthusiasm as they actively work towards completing this prestigious award.

Our pupils are fully engaged in the three core sections of the award—Volunteering, Skills, and Physical—through a rich and varied programme of activities. Through their volunteering, students are making a meaningful impact within the community by supporting local charities, assisting at food banks, and contributing to environmental initiatives. These valuable experiences continue to nurture a strong sense of social responsibility and compassion.

Alongside this, pupils are developing their personal interests and talents in the Skills section, with involvement in leadership activities, business enterprise clubs, and creative pursuits such as music and drama. These opportunities are fostering independence, confidence, and creativity. In the Physical section, students are maintaining consistent participation in a wide range of sporting activities, including coaching and fitness programmes, supporting both personal development and teamwork.

A key focus of the programme remains the continued development of expedition skills. Pupils are currently undertaking training in essential areas such as navigation, map reading, bushcraft, and expedition first aid. These practical skills are equipping them with the confidence and resilience needed to succeed in challenging outdoor environments.

Building on their experience from the Practice Expedition in the stunning South Downs National Park, the cohort is now working towards their Assessed Expedition in June. This stage represents an exciting opportunity for pupils to demonstrate their teamwork, independence, and problem-solving skills in a real expedition setting.

In addition, we are proud to have 8 Lower Sixth pupils actively working towards their Gold Award. They are currently preparing for their expedition, which will take place in the Lake District this August. This promises to be a demanding yet highly rewarding experience, further developing their leadership, endurance, and collaborative skills at the highest level of the DofE programme.

We are incredibly proud of the dedication and enthusiasm shown by all our DofE participants and look forward to celebrating their continued progress and achievements in the months ahead.