Thirty-seven students from Plymstock School participated in their Bronze Practice Expedition for their Duke of Edinburgh’s award on Friday 20th-Sunday 22nd of May. This is the first-time students from the school have been able to get out as a group and camp since the pandemic began and followed on from a training day in school on the Friday.

To achieve a DofE Award, students must volunteer in their local community, learn a skill, take on a physical activity and plan and undertake a two-day expedition. The aim of the expedition programme is for students to develop team participation and map and cooking skills, alongside their appreciation for the outdoors. As part of the weekend the students had to be completely self-sufficient: so, they had to carry everything they needed on their backs, including camping and cooking equipment, first aid kits and lots of snacks!

The Friday was spent on the school site developing their DofE skills. They had sessions in map reading, putting up tents, cooking on a trangia, first aid and how and what to pack in their rucksacks to be safe and self sufficient all weekend.

Saturday saw both the groups walking a route of around 10 miles, starting from Jennycliff, following the coastal path to Bovisand and then walking across the countryside to Brixton campsite. The energy was maintained when getting into camp with a camping style evening of setting up their tents, cooking, and games. On Sunday, the day started with packing away camp, cooking breaksfast and a hike back through the countryside to finish back at school. All groups were then debriefed by staff and sent home for a much-needed shower and rest!

Mrs de Mora, DofE Manager, commented ‘It was a fantastic weekend. We couldn’t have asked for better conditions. The staff and students thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and can’t wait to do it all again in only a few short weeks for their Bronze Qualifier. Thank you so much to the students for being a credit to the school with your conduct. I’m proud of you, congratulations! Also, a big thanks to the staff who volunteered their time, it wouldn’t have happened without all your hard work. A special thanks to Mr Steward who very kindly offered his help and experience all weekend, having retired from teaching two years ago.

There are currently over 400,000 young people taking part in a DofE programme across the UK through a variety of centres. Widely acknowledged as the world’s leading achievement award for young people, DofE programmes enable any young person, aged 14-24, to develop key skills for life and work, such as confidence, commitment, and teamwork. It’s fun, it builds resilience and leadership skills, gives you new experiences and challenges and gives you the ‘edge’ when applying for university or employment.

Mrs de Mora

DofE Manager
Plymstock School