The Record 2014 - 2015

Duke of Edinburgh Award Mark Woodward, DofE Coordinator

This year 300 pupils worked towards an Award at one of the three levels and expeditions spread over all three terms. Over 75% of the Shell cohort signed up to the Bronze Award and the majority made it through to the final qualifying expedition. While there are four components to the Award, the one that most students tend to focus on is the expedition, which puts many of them outside of their comfort zone and challenges their resilience and adaptability. In the Autumn Term the Silver groups went to the Wye valley area for their qualifying expedition and were blessed with lovely autumn weather, although the Forest of Dean tested the navigational skills of the walkers. The Gold expedition usually takes place in July, but this year the expedition leader, Keith Shindler, decided to move it to October to avoid the crowds that descend on areas of the Lake District each summer. The major drawback of this time of year can be inclement weather and it rained for the entire five days, trying both the resolve and waterproofing of the group. Once the Gold groups had all completed their expeditions successfully, their final step was to present an account of their varied experiences to an invited audience of parents, staff, assessors and students at The North Wall. The majority of training was delivered in the Spring Term. The whole Shell year group was trained by the Duke of Edinburgh staff during the Shell Activity slot. This prepares them for the Bronze Award and also for their involvement in CCF and Life Skills in the Fourth Form.

Gold training took place over two Sundays in classrooms and then the Walkers spent an afternoon on the Ridgeway to the south of Oxford putting their new skills in practice. Ed Edwards, staff member and qualified coach, ran regular training sessions and the occasional weekend to make sure that the Canoe groups were proficient in water safety as well as camp craft skills. During the Easter holiday the Gold Canoe and Walking groups went out for their important practice expedition. The Walkers set out to the Black Mountains in mid-Wales, while the single Canoe group travelled for four days down the River Thames from Oxford. In the Summer Term a large number of Bronze groups undertook their practice and qualifying expeditions, fitting them in between their end of year exams. This year the Bronze qualifying was combined with the Shell CCF trip to the Brecon Beacons. Most of the groups had practised in the Cotswolds and it was a real step up to venture out from Llangorse and walk through some impressive peaks to end on the River Wye at Glasbury. It was a credit to all the groups that they rose to the challenge and the Assessors were impressed by their determination and sense of adventure. When not on expedition, the groups took part in the other outdoor activities on offer during the week. The Gold Walking group also went on their qualifying expedition in the final week of term, enjoying fine June weather. Bronze and Silver Awards were given out at Assembly and twelve Upper Sixth leavers received their Gold badge or brooch at Gaudy prize giving.

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