On 3 October, 61 Year 11 students set off into the rain in the New Forest for their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Challenge. For this part of the award they must complete a three day, 2 night expedition that includes planning, training for, and undertaking the journey.
The pupils had lovely dry weather for their practice expedition in the Ashdown Forest in Sussex but the temperatures had dropped moving into October. Thankfully, the weather dried up for the rest of the weekend and there was even some sunshine as they made their way to the final checkpoint. They all showed great determination and completed the expedition successfully.
Miss Guy, our Duke of Edinburgh Lead said:
“By Sunday afternoon, each group had received a detailed debrief and officially passed the expedition section of their award. We couldn’t be prouder of their determination, skill, and camaraderie throughout the weekend.
“This accomplishment brings them one step closer to achieving their full Silver Award, which also includes completing volunteering, physical, and skills sections of the program. The experience of navigating in an unfamiliar environment and relying on skills learned have built a strong foundation of perseverance and self-confidence that will serve them well in the future. Well done to them all!”
The skills developed during the expedition draw on multiple areas of the curriculum, including:
- Geography: Using OS maps, compasses, and route cards, students honed their skills in physical geography and spatial awareness. Navigating through heathlands, forests, and valleys linked directly to map reading techniques covered in KS3 and GCSE courses.
- Mathematics: Calculating distances, estimating time, and understanding scale are key aspects of expedition planning. Our students applied mathematical skills to determine timings, calculate grid references, and measure walking speed, integrating these practical applications into real-life scenarios.
- Food Technology: Trangia cooking required careful menu planning, food preparation, and safety awareness. Groups showed creativity and resourcefulness in preparing balanced meals with limited resources, connecting to topics covered in our Food Tech curriculum.
- PSHE and Leadership: The emphasis on teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience ties in closely with our PSHE program. Students stepped up to lead their groups, made decisions under pressure, and supported one another, demonstrating personal growth and leadership that will benefit them in all aspects of school life.
Learn more about the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Challenge on their website here.
