We were excited to announce that, as from January 2011, eligible pupils would be able to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of activities for anyone aged 14-24. Doing their Duke of Edinburgh gives young people the opportunity to experience new activities or develop existing skills. There are three progressive levels of programmes which when successfully completed lead to a Bronze Silver and Gold Award. Young people create their own programme by choosing a volunteering, physical and skills activity, going on an expedition and, for their gold only, taking part in a residential activity.

• Volunteering:-Undertaking service to individuals or the community.
• Physical:-Improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities.
• Skills:-developing practical and social skills and personal interests.
• Expedition:-planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is driven by the following ten guiding principles, which are at the heart of everything that the award is about:

Non-competitive, Achievable by all, Voluntary, Personal development, Personalised, Balanced, Progressive, Achievement focused, Demand commitment and Enjoyable.

Best of luck to the 9 students, from Year 9 through to Year 12, who volunteered to join the programme: Erin Donaghue, Holly Denny, Edward Horne, Angus Denny, Willem Guinn, Ryan Bosley, Molly Savident, Jaron Ali and Amy Davies.

Their timetable of activities:

• 26th March drop back Hike
• 7th and 8th May Practise expedition in Chilterns
• 2nd and 3rd July Assessed expedition in Chilterns