Gold Expeditions

From 27 – 29 March, Gold students also undertook their Practice Expedition to the Brecon Beacons. Considering the time of year, we were blessed by clement weather throughout. Some of the groups struggled with the step-up to Gold and the challenging mountainous terrain, but all came through with flying colours by the end of the weekend. 

Following this, our students undertook their Qualifying Expedition in May to Snowdonia.

 

 

 

  

This marked another successful year of Gold with all 24 of our students completing their Expedition section and 22 of them going on to our DofE Young Leaders’ Qualification.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver Expeditions

Our Silver participants undertook their Practice Expedition in the Peak District in June. We had another good weekend of weather and, whilst one or two groups struggled with their bearings, the improvements in the vast majority over the weekend were clear to see. 

The Silver Qualifying Expedition then followed on the hottest weekend of the year (11- 13 July) and it was a tough weekend for all involved. Despite the heat, the students showed incredible resilience and determination throughout, and parents and carers should be incredibly proud of them. Whereas normally, for a Silver Qualifier, we would only meet the students once, because of the heat, we met them three/four times each day to refill water bottles, check that they were all okay, remind them to apply suncream and give them a refreshing spray with water. We also purchased extra electrolytes as well to ensure that, should anybody have needed them, they had them to replenish any lost whilst maintaining hydration. This worked phenomenally well and all 68 participants ended the weekend, successfully achieving a completed Silver Qualifying Expedition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bronze

On the weekend of 4 – 5 July, 123 students undertook their Bronze Qualifying Expedition to the Cotswolds. 

For this, students planned and walked their routes for two days – walking for six hours and carrying everything they needed for the weekend including all their camping equipment. They put into practice map, compass and navigation skills as well as camping and cooking skills. The trip was very successful with all who undertook it completing this section of their award

 

 

 

Gold Qualifying Expeditions 13-16 June 2023

Congratulations to our Year 12 students who, last weekend, completed their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Qualifying Expedition. 
Over four days the students walked in the region of 75km (46 miles), reaching heights of up to 800m within the Snowdonia National Park all whilst carrying all of their kit, in some cases weighing up to 17kg

They not only had to endure heights, distances and workload, but also heavy wind and rain and the soaking of clothes and tents that comes as a consequence of that weather. They did so without complaint all whilst dealing with aches, strains, injuries (new and recurring), blisters and swarms of midges at the campsites.

As students on DofE are not allowed to buy anything on the  expedition, all food and provisions they need are carried by themselves at all times and cooked each night on Trangia burners. Students are responsible for guiding themselves from start to end points on each day using their learned map and bearings’ skills. 

 

To see them smiling at the end is testament to them as individuals and we are proud of them all. 

  

Gold Practice Expeditions 18-20 April

  

  

Silver Practice Expedition 2-4 May

  

Bronze Practice Expedition 17 - 18 May 

Gold Training Day 5 March 2024 - White Peak in Derbyshire