Beverley Grammar School is pleased to have reintroduced the Duke of Edinburgh scheme as an extra-curricular opportunity. The school did not take on any new recruits in 2014 but was pleased to receive applications from 49 students in 2015 when it re-started the program, with 36 students taking the Silver Award and 13 the Bronze Award.
The Duke of Edinburgh award is a nationally recognised award that rewards participants for achieving personal goals. Mr Bibbington and Miss Atkinson have taken responsibility for delivery of the course. Miss Atkinson believes “extracurricular activities are vital to an enjoyable and successful time at school. It is great for staff to witness students achieving outside of the classroom.”
To be successful, pupils must achieve personal targets including volunteering, an individual skill, a physical activity, and an expedition. Pupils must use their own initiative to complete these targets, and are challenged to complete the expedition under ‘remote supervision’; they are not directly supervised by staff at all stages, although staff are present if required.
The Duke of Edinburgh award encourages many essential life skills including;
- Independence
- Motivation
- Social Awareness and skills
- Team working skills
- Health and fitness
- Mental well-being
- Confidence
This Summer, pupils will be carrying out their extended expeditions in the North York Moors and East Yorkshire Wolds areas, and have been practicing hard to ensure they have the skills necessary to be successful. They have been completing practice walks in the school holidays and erecting tents against the clock after school.
Beverley Grammar School is very grateful to those parents that have volunteered to assist in the supervision of the practice walks, which has enabled them to happen. Special thanks goes to Mrs I McGovern, Mrs R Milner, Mr S Partington and Mrs S Wise.