Duke of Edinburgh Award: 2020/21 round-up

Despite the restrictions and challenges posed by Covid-19 in the last academic year, we’ve enjoyed another busy and successful and The Duke of Edinburgh season at King’s. 

With 167 new pupils registered for the Award at all three levels in 2020/21, we have already presented 69 Bronze and 40 Silver Awards in school in recognition of their achievements. In addition, 22 pupils have successfully completed their Gold Award and we hope that they will receive their certificates from HRH Price Edward, Earl of Wessex at a ceremony at St James’ Palace. Fingers crossed that the presentation is able to go ahead but there are already plans in place for them to receive a Zoom call from His Royal Highness if plans have to change. 

Once again, we worked closely with our expedition providers at Get Outside the Classroom to ensure that pupils have a safe, challenging and enjoyable expedition experience. Never was this more important that this year as Covid-19 restrictions subjected the expeditions to ever-changing situation in different parts of the UK. 

Training expeditions took place as long walking days with pupils enjoying the scenic routes along the Sandstone Trail, around Llangollen, and facing challenging snowy conditions in the Peak District.

The main assessment expeditions took place in Cheshire, Llangollen, and along a very challenging route in Snowdonia National Park. The canoers faced different challenges along their route which started at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the Llangollen canal and went through Wales, Shropshire and Cheshire before finishing in Waverton.   

The assessors felt that this year’s groups embraced the true spirit of the Duke of Edinburgh Award and praised all participants, highlighting their sense of adventure, team spirit and enthusiasm, as well as the commitment required to com

plete each Award.