The SWPS DofE team was delighted to have secured the renewal of its DofE Licensed Organisation status for a further three years. The DofE organisation carried out a detailed review of SWPS DofE processes and achievements and produced a glowing report, holding SWPS out as a model Licensed Organisation with the largest number of parent volunteers in the South-East.

We were also very proud to celebrate our DofE success at a trip to Buckingham Palace in May. Congratulations to all our recently qualified Gold students – we are proud of their resilience and commitment, not only on the mountain tops but also in handling the adaptations and challenges presented by Covid to complete their Award. Our trip was a double celebration as two of our long-serving volunteers Mike Parr and John Robinson were also recognised for more than 20 years support to our SWPS DofE students. We thank them and all our DofE volunteers for their help and support.

It has been a busy term. Events that have taken place include:

  • Gold Practice Expedition to Dartmoor (30 March – 02 April, 13 very soggy students in 3 teams with 12 windswept volunteers!
  • Silver Practice Expedition to the New Forest (29 April – 1 May, 34 students in 6 teams, with 14 volunteers)
  • Bronze Practice Expedition at The Mill, Forest Green, Surrey (13 – 14 May, 86 very muddy students in 15 teams with 34 equally muddy parent volunteers)
  • Y9 Bronze Expedition Planning Evening, (7 Jun, 86 students in 15 teams)
  • Y10 Silver Expedition Planning Meeting, (20 Jun, 33 students in 6 teams)
  • SWPS DofE Forum (20 Jun, 7-9pm, 45 volunteers attended)
  • Y8 Parents DofE Information Evening, (28 June, 70 attended)
  • Silver Qualifying Expedition to the Peak District (1 – 3 July, 33 students in 6 teams with 14 parent volunteers)

Over the coming summer holidays, we shall again be putting on our walking boots for three more expeditions:

  • Gold Qualifying Expeditions, Teams 1 & 3 are off to the Lake District in July and Team 2 are going to Snowdonia in August (13 students, 8 volunteers in total)

Let’s hope the sun shines.