Duke of Edinburgh

 

Both the Gold and Silver sections of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme are offered with the Gold completed in the Lower Sixth Form and the Silver in Year 10.

 

At any one time, up to 70 students will be working towards their Duke of Edinburgh awards involving the sport, community service, residential and skill sections as well as the more well-known expedition work.

 

Practice expeditions for the Gold award take place in Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Dartmoor with the final assessed expedition on the Brecon Beacons.

 

Duke of Edinburgh Gold Practice Expedition, Lochaber & Knoydart, Scotland April 2008

 

Every two years the Lower Sixth D of E Gold expeditioners venture up to North West Scotland for a week's training and practice expedition.  Based in a hostel at the old aluminium smelter at Kinlochleven, 32 students and staff experienced Scotland at its most beautiful.  Nearly everyone made it to the top of Ben Nevis if full winter conditions; finding the summit shelter stone in complete white-out conditions proved to be interesting yet successful.  Other groups completed some challenging and enjoyable short treks in Glen Coe and surrounding areas.  Everyone managed to try their hand at a few snow and ice skills, digging snow holes, ice axe arresting and glissading.

 

The main three day trek was from Loch Arkaig, near Fort William, to the remote village of Inverie.  Inverie is the only sizeable settlement in the British Isles not connected to the road network, so the only way in or out is by boat or to walk.  The weather was kind during the day and freezing cold at night.  Four members of the Upper Sixth managed to bag another exciting Munroe, Sgurr na Ciche, on the way and much football was played on a number of beautiful beaches.  On arrival at Inverie, we were all treated to huge portions of game stew in the famous Old Forge Inn.  On the boat trip out to Mallaig the following day, we were given a final send off by a school of passing porpoises. A very memorable trip.