More than 70 Cirencester Deer Park School Year 10 pupils have been taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Bronze Award, which consists of 3 months of volunteering work, 3 months of skills work, 3 months of physical work and an expedition section. The aim of the programme is to teach young adults teamwork and to make them into fit, independent and respectable citizens. Given their experiences over the last few years, these qualities and skills have never been more valuable.

Having completed their training and practice expedition in July during Enrichment Week, where they planned their routes and learnt a good deal about navigation, First Aid and camp craft, the teams embarked on their final qualifying expedition on the morning of Saturday 23 September 2023. This two-day, one-night expedition was under the guidance of a team of assessors from No Limits Development and ably supported by an enthusiastic and intrepid band of Deer Park staff.

The pupils were dropped off in Stroud to embark upon their expedition, which consisted of 14 hours of walking over 2 days, concluding back in Stroud on the afternoon of Sunday 24 September.

The pupils were an absolute credit to themselves, their families and the school, and all should be extremely proud of having completed the expedition successfully! Not least because the overnight accommodation represented something more akin to a waterlogged farm track than a bona fide camping field!

“I was hugely impressed by the pupils’ commitment, resilience and resolve, in undertaking and completing the challenge posed, not to mention the kindness and support shown towards each other! As staff, we were able to share their sense of pride in their accomplishment, when they arrived back in Stroud on the Sunday afternoon, having drawn upon the guidance and support they were given. I was also extremely grateful to those who coordinated the movement of pupils across the 2 days of the expedition; it was a huge challenge for all those concerned; a challenge which was met head-on!” Mr Reed, DofE Manager.

It is vitally important that all participants now conclude their endeavours in relation to the Volunteering, Physical and Skill sections, and that they upload all evidence to their eDofE accounts in a timely fashion.

Congratulations on a successful weekend! For our participants, the Expedition section of the award is seen as the focal point of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. And rightly so given the physical and mental exertions required to carry your home on your back for a couple of days! However, I am equally proud of their commitment to the Volunteering, Skills, and Physical activities they have undertaken to complete the other three parts of the award. Thank you to No Limits and particularly to our Deer Park staff for making these opportunities possible.

Mr Clutterbuck, Headteacher

If your child is in Year 9, please note that we will be launching the Duke of Edinburgh's Bronze Award to Year 9 pupils close to the half-term break, so look out for more information if your child might be interested in this challenge.