DofE Expeditions 2021

This academic year has been exceptionally busy for the Duke of Edinburgh groups, with all expeditions cancelled during 2020 the opportunities were seized when camp sites and restrictions were eased.

Bronze Award

The first group out was the year 10 who didn’t complete their expedition when they were in year 9, they made the most of the nice weather during the October half term and benefitted from the award allowing expeditions to occur without the need to camp out. It was a local walk around Chigwell and Hainault which was repeated at Easter for the new, current year 9 group. 140 pupils completed their Bronze expedition this year.

The Trinity term has been very busy, with all remaining expeditions almost occurring back to back in order to catch up and get the new cohort through.

Sliver Award

78 pupils completed their silver expedition this term, the canoe groups stayed local completing their rowing on the River Stort and Chelmer, but our walkers went to the South Downs and completed their training and assessed expeditions in one trip, also not too far away but closer to the expedition that is normally run. This was quite a jump for many of the students as they had not fully experienced a Bronze expedition due to Covid restrictions stopping them camping and carrying the kit they would normally have.

Gold Award

Finally the gold groups travelled up to Scotland, for a much more normal experience. 24 of our year 12 and 13 went to Ullapool, Linn of Dee and the Great Caledonian canal to complete their expeditions, these trips continue into the holidays with the canoe group returning on the 27^th August.