To earn the scheme’s entry-level Bronze Award, the students were required to complete four sections: volunteering, physical, skills, and expedition. The physical section involved participating in a regular sport, dance, or fitness activity, with an emphasis on sustained effort and measurable personal improvement. The volunteering section encouraged participants to give their time to support community groups and organisations.

In the skills section, students selected activities that enabled them to develop a new ability or deepen existing knowledge, building confidence and competence through consistent progress. The final component, the expedition, required students to plan, train for, and complete a self-sufficient two-day journey.

Among the activities completed across the four sections since January 2024 were six months of horse riding for the physical section, drum lessons for the skills requirement, volunteering at a sailing club and with local Scout and Girlguiding groups, and an expedition in the Yorkshire Wolds.

The group spent the early part of 2024 preparing for the expedition through a programme of weekly after-school training sessions focussed on map reading, basic first aid and outdoor skills, equipment use, and the Countryside Code.  

Putting their knowledge into practice, the group undertook a trial expedition in June 2024, using their map-reading skills to follow approximately 18-miles of walking routes over two-days. This included a nine-mile walk to their campsite, where they were tasked with erecting tents and cooking their own meals using a portable outdoor Trangia stove.

Building on the success of their trial expedition, the group followed a similar structure of distances and routines during their assessed expedition in July 2024.  Accompanying the team on both occasions was Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Manager, Laura Spenceley, who said: “The purpose of the expedition is to inspire young people to develop initiative and a spirit of adventure and discovery by completing an adventurous self-sufficient journey as part of a team.

“The students did extremely well during their expeditions. We were very proud of the teamwork displayed, the initiative shown when they encountered challenges and the moral support they gave each other to complete each journey. On both occasions, it was clear the group had developed a new-found confidence, resilience, focus and sense of achievement.”

Reflecting on their successful completion of the first level, Laura added: “Through the DofE Award, young people make friends, create memories and build confidence – all of which can benefit mental health. They gain skills and attributes for work and life, including problem-solving, teamwork and self-motivation.

“I would like to congratulate the students on their commitment over the past 18 months. They have grown in confidence throughout and worked exceptionally well as individuals and as a team during the expedition. Each student’s DofE programme was personal to them, with each choosing their own activities in the skills, volunteering and physical sections. As a result of their hard work, they have all achieved an award that is recognised by leading employers and will help them stand out when applying for university or employment. They have done themselves proud.”

Following the relaunch of the DofE Award programme at the school in 2024, the students have become the first cohort to achieve the entry level award. A second group of students undertook their expedition in June this year and will continue their progress throughout the summer and into the new academic year.  

Following completion of the Bronze level, students may choose to continue to the award’s Silver and Gold levels. Both contain the same four sections as the entry-level award, but with extended timescales for each. The Gold level also introduces a fifth component – the ‘residential’ section – which encourages participants to undertake a shared activity or course with people they do not know, in a residential setting away from home and in an unfamiliar environment.

For young people in South East Holderness, progression through the DofE Award scheme is available at Easington Youth Club every Monday evening from 6.00pm to 8.30pm.

For further information about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, visit www.dofe.org

ABOVE: YOUNG ACHIEVERS: Left to right, Lucy, Olivia, Adam, Libby-Rose, Marianne, and Kiera with Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Manager, Laura Spenceley.

ABOVE: Following a trial expedition the previous month, the group successfully completed their assessed expedition in July 2024.