On Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 July 2022, 65 of our (new) Year 10 pupils were granted 2 days off timetable to complete their Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Bronze Award Expedition Training. There are four main sections of a DofE programme - Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and Expedition - and pupils complete their Expedition section with the support of the school.  

The main focus for these 2 training days was navigation training and route planning, in order for the pupils to be fully prepared ahead of their final qualifying Expedition at the end of September.

Working in their groups, the pupils were guided through the maps and routes by 10 instructors from our Approved Activity Provider (AAP) No Limits Development, who joined us for the day, supported by six members of Deer Park staff.

The preparation, whilst challenging, presented the pupils with the opportunity to work collaboratively and demonstrate great reserves of reciprocity and, particularly, resilience. The Course Director from No Limits, along with the other instructors, was extremely impressed by their levels of commitment and respect.

By the end of the 2 days, all groups had completed their essential route cards and had also found the time to enjoy some walking, whilst discussing the wider issues of nutrition and First Aid. The overnight camp was also relatively successful for all, apart from Mr Lawless, whose tent wasn't big enough and whose bacofoil-style sleeping bag simply wasn't fit for purpose.

Our 10 groups were debriefed at the end of Tuesday and encouraged to learn from the experience in relation to preparing for the final qualifying Expedition, whilst also ensuring that they don't neglect the other 3 sections of the programme. We are very much looking forward to the pupils completing the Expedition element of their award, with 2 days of walking in late September.

Mr Reed, DofE Manager