Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

“In a very competitive job market it is increasingly important that an individual finds a way to stand out from the crowd, not just in terms of their academic qualifications but also in terms of their personal character. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a sign of someone who has drive, energy, resourcefulness and compassion – all the qualities that will help them succeed in life and in the workplace. It is, in our view, a real positive.” Adam Crozier, ITV Chief Executive

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a hugely popular co-curricular activity at St Peter’s School, involving well over a hundred pupils each year.

As part of the expedition section of the award our pupils’ map reading and navigation skills have certainly been tested this year in the Howardian Hills and further afield in the Yorkshire Dales, The Moors and the North Pennines.

“Pupils’ map reading and navigation skills have certainly been tested this year.”

The Howardian Hills are a patchwork of pastoral farmland, rolling hills, native woodland and landscaped parks, which can present a challenge for an expedition at Bronze level. Eighty third form have been working towards their Bronze award this year, and many are well on their way to completing the four sections.

For the volunteering section our third form pupils have been raising money for charity, helping with junior school clubs and sports, and a few of our talented musicians have been offering coaching to younger pupils. For the skills section we have seen plenty of

budding cooks this year, and an opportunity to learn how to take care of the school reptiles. The physical element of the award has seen our pupils develop their skills in Netball, Fencing, Football, Rowing and a range of other sports.

Our fourth form have been working towards the volunteering, skill & physical sections of their Silver award, with expedition planning starting in earnest at the beginning of the fifth form.

The fifth form successfully completed their Silver practice expedition in the North York Moors at the end of the Easter term before moving to the Yorkshire Dales for their qualifying expedition at the end of June. Miles of ancient dry-stone walls, field barns, meadows and pockets of woodland looked quite stunning in the summer sunshine. Groups camped in and around Malham, with Gordale Scar being one of the most dramatic camping sites we used, with soaring walls of limestone and the beck crashing through a cleft of rock. Thirty five lower sixth pupils headed to the North Pennines early in July to complete their qualifying expedition over four days. All teams coped admirably with the challenges of the open moorland landscape of the fells.

“All teams coped admirably with the challenges.”

The year saw more St Peter’s pupils than ever complete the Gold level of award: a credit to their determination and teamwork. Six U6 (Maddy Bennison, Nana DansoAppiah, Issy Eaden, Will Morrison, Ella Meere, Ella McLaughlin) and a few former pupils of the School (Katherine Spencer and Cecilia Duan) made the most of the early summer weather when they

attended a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, to receive their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Awards. Nikki Fox, English broadcaster, presenter and documentary maker, presented the awards to our pupils, and Princess Beatrice of York spoke to the group together.

“The year saw more St Peter’s pupils than ever complete the Gold level of award.”

Each DofE journey is unique, with our pupils developing their skills and confidence through completing a diverse range of activities of their choice.

Mr Jon Whitehouse