Duke of Edinburgh Award

Hove Park School is delighted to have been awarded an £800 grant from the Duke of Edinburgh Award Diamond Fund to train staff. This training is essential to the safe running of DofE expeditions. Many teachers are already qualified in many of the skills needed to lead outdoor expeditions and this will support others in training. 'This will ensure we can run expeditions ourselves, with the high levels of safety expected.' Mr Hunting, the DofE Coordinator said, 'It will help the school to become more self-sufficient when it comes to running expeditions. This has always been one of our goals for the school because it means expeditions are more affordable so that everyone at Hove Park can be encouraged and supported to undertake at least the Bronze award'. Hove Park school is about 'Achieving Together' and providing students with the opportunity to develop rounded skills and experience the benefits of outdoor education, and this Diamond Fund Award really helps us to do so!  Jim Roberts Head teacher said ‘The Duke of Edinburgh award is an important part of our Every Child Should strategy in which we have identified 8 themes that we want all children that come to Hove Park to have experienced in their time with us, including spending a night under the stars. Mr Hunting and his team have done an incredible job in developing our Duke of Edinburgh provision and ensuring it is accessible to all students. We are looking forward to a time when we can re-start the planning and get children enjoying the outdoors again.’

Thirty nine intrepid year 9 students completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh assessed expedition on the South Downs over two days, camping overnight at Hillside, the scout camp at Small Dole. On Sunday, from the beginning they successfully navigated their way independently in teams from Cissbury Ring, working together and supporting each other to get to their overnight destination. They cooked meals and pitched tent for the night, with stunning views of the South Downs and lovely countryside around. Apart from a few drops of ran at the beginning, the day was perfect for walking, with sunshine breaking out as the day progressed. The next day the teams walked up onto the South Downs ridge, climbing the 105 metre ascent of Edburton Hill with full packs, along to the Dyke, then Saddlescombe, then to finish at Waterhall. Bright Expeditions who organised what was an extremely successful expedition, said all the groups had passed their assessment well, and they were impressed by their organisation, behaviour, teamwork and competence at camp craft and navigation. Thank you to Bright expeditions for their excellent work and to all the staff who helped on the trip and the support staff who helped to make it happen or covered lessons on the second day (Monday).