King’s DofE Participants Practice to be Perfect

Despite the weather conditions, over sixty of our pupils enjoyed their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Practice Expeditions during the Easter Holidays, honing the skills that they have learned in school in preparation for their qualifying expeditions in the summer. 

Taking a well-earned break from their revision, as soon as the holiday began 37 members of the Fifth Form undertook their Silver Practice Expedition on Dartmoor. In challenging conditions, the six expedition groups completed three days of walking and two nights camping in one of the most remote and wild areas of the British Isles.  

They undertook navigation and campcraft training and carried their group and personal kit across the challenging moorland terrain. Despite the persistent rain, and surfaces that were even more waterlogged than is normal for Dartmoor, the teams showed great resolve and determination in completing their expedition. The experience has certainly refined their teamwork skills, and they can now look ahead to their Assessed Expedition in the Black Mountains later this year. 

In the second week of the holiday, 24 Lower Sixth students and four staff braved the wind and rain in the Capel Curig area of Snowdonia. Having spent Monday in largely fine weather, travelling up and spending the afternoon on a navigation hike led by staff, from Tuesday to Thursday they completed their Practice Expedition carrying full kit and camping overnight in different locations. They endured extremely challenging weather conditions throughout, with persistent heavy rain, gale-force winds, flooding and below zero wind-chill higher up. 

Occasional pockets of sunshine did allow participants to appreciate the beauty of the area and attempt to dry out! Significant teamwork was definitely required, and the students sometimes had to “dig deep” in the harsh environment. They should be very proud of their achievement; the staff were really pleased and impressed to see their sense of satisfaction and smiles at the end, and everyone is looking forward to a much drier Lake District in August for their Assessed Expedition. 

Very well done to all who participated in the expeditions. 

View our short films to hear more from our Duke of Edinburgh Lead, Mr Cuthbertson and to see our pupils in action.