Prev
Next
DofE Expedition
Year 10 Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award participants complete their Expedition section
Over the last several months, 57 Deer Park pupils in Year 10 have been taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, which consists of 3 months of Volunteering work, 3 months of Skills work, and 3 months of Physical work and an Expedition section (find out more...). The aim of the DofE programme is to teach young adults teamwork and to make them into fit, independent and respectful citizens. Given the current situation, this has been even more challenging than usual, but our pupils have shown real resolve and resilience.
Pupils spent a day off timetable on Wednesday 16 September 2020, under very different circumstances from normal, planning their routes and learning a little about navigation, with the guidance of a team of instructors from No Limits Development. Ordinarily, this training would have lasted an entire week!
On the morning of Saturday 26 September, the sun was shining as pupils were dropped off at Stratford Park in Stroud to embark upon their Expedition, which consisted of 14 hours of walking over 2 days, between Stroud and Cranham Woods Scout Camp, concluding back in Stroud on the afternoon of Sunday 27 September.
The expedition was run by No limits Development and members of school staff, who accompanied the pupils throughout the trip, leading the expedition and giving support to all pupils.
'It was great! I gained a real sense of self belief and appreciated the independence of planning and completing the expedition with others my own age.' - Lily, Year 10
'It was really good fun, but also quite a long, hard walk. I felt a real sense of accomplishment at the end' Lucas, Year 10
'I was hugely impressed by our pupils’ commitment, resilience and resolve, in very difficult circumstances, and shared their sense of pride in their accomplishment, when they arrived back at Stratford Park on the Sunday, having drawn upon the training and guidance they were given. I was also extremely grateful to the staff who supported and 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.
One of our Year 10 parents commented: 'Just wanted to feedback how well Deer Park school have done again in this pandemic with expediting DofE. Please thank the staff involved for making it happen, giving up their own time and helping my daughter enjoy the weekend as well as great organisation.'