OUTDOOR PURSUITS

Lockdowns and travel restrictions have made us hungrier than ever for outdoor space. Thankfully, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme has allowed students to remain connected to the natural world — and they’ve challenged themselves and supported local communities in the process, writes Mr Chuter...

The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme has four parts: Physical, Skill, Volunteering and Expedition. The first three provide fantastic opportunities for students to be recognised for some of their existing co-curricular activities and also to try new things and contribute to their local or global community.They commit an hour of their time once a week for three to six months to achieve a goal, help a person or a community, or show personal development. The Expedition allows students to develop the ability to work as a team; they must plan an overnight excursion, carrying food and camping equipment and execute that plan without outside assistance, dealing with problems or obstacles as and when they arise. Preparing for the Expedition and successfully completing it gives students real confidence in their ability to be independent, and most students have a great time too!

Approximately 95% of the pupils in Year 9 sign up to take the Bronze Award, with the great majority completing within 12 months. Pupils can start the Silver Award, which demands a slightly greater level of commitment, in Year 10, and more than half of the year group get involved with this section. Being in London, pupils can complete their final expeditions by walking, as they do for the Bronze, or by opting to canoe down the Thames.

When the pandemic struck, we were adamant that pupils would not miss out on the sense of adventure, reflection, and community outreach enabled by the DofE.Two years later, we are proud to say that Emanuel pupils were undeterred. The resilience, patience, and fierce determination demonstrated by our pupils is exactly what the scheme is all about.

This year’s expedition saw 125 Year 9s walking with heavy packs for six hours per day for two days; while the majority of the Year 10s for even longer each day and for three days. They triumphed over bad weather, blisters and porridge burned to the bottom of the pan! Their excitement at finally being allowed to camp out after two years of restrictions was palpable! In addition, 14 intrepid Year 10s floated down the Thames (with a fierce headwind!). All students successfully completed their expeditions, and no doubt learnt a lot about themselves in the process.

At the awards evening in January 2022 we celebrated the many students who completed their DofE Awards during the challenging times of the pandemic.With students having to constantly change their plans and re-evaluate their goals in the face of various restrictions, this was a real achievement and we are hugely proud of them all.