DofE Celebration Evening

The atmosphere was full of pride as parents, staff, and students gathered at Hill Valley Hotel in Whitchurch on Monday 16th March to celebrate nearly 70 young people at this year’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Evening. Students across Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels were recognised for their dedication, resilience, and personal growth.

We were honoured to welcome Darren Edwards, adaptive adventurer, speaker, and expedition leader, who presented the awards. His message about overcoming challenges and embracing a positive mindset left a real impact on everyone in the room.

A standout moment came from five of our own award recipients, who shared heartfelt reflections on their DofE journeys. They spoke about how the programme helped them grow as individuals, build resilience through tough hikes, develop teamwork skills, and gain confidence through volunteering and learning new skills. Their stories captured the true spirit of DofE: self‑discovery, perseverance, and the friendships formed along the way.

It was a wonderful evening celebrating the hard work and character of every participant. We are incredibly proud of all our Bronze, Silver, and Gold award holders and can’t wait to see where their next adventures lead them.