On Friday 12th July, eight sixth form students set off in the school minibus for their Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award practice expedition. To get to this point they had already been working to complete the volunteering, physical and skills sections of the award. Now they faced the challenge of working as a team to learn how to complete a self-sufficient expedition. This would see them hiking and camping in the Chiltern Hills for three days.  Luckily, we were blessed with enough sunshine to show off this area of outstanding natural beauty, without having to struggle through excessive heat or rain.

For this expedition, we teamed up with staff and students from Winchmore High School and the great instructors from Aim High. On the first day the students worked with the instructors to practise hiking, navigating, setting up camp and cooking on camp stoves. Then they were ready to do it for themselves. Starting from Chesham and with minimal support or intervention, the students successfully trekked throughout the weekend to their pickup point in Berkhamsted, camping on Saturday night at a campsite overlooked by the stunning Ivinghoe Beacon.

The students met the challenges and difficulties they faced with determination and resilience. They showed great respect for the countryside and those they were sharing it with, reflecting the school’s values and aspirations. They were a pleasure to work with and excellent role models. They returned to school on Sunday tired and weary, but pleased to have successfully completed the challenge, and ready for the final assessment expedition in September.

A big thank you to Mrs Walters for all her work organising the trip for the students and supporting them with completing their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award.