North Devon Students Trek the Quantocks

Students from Atlantic Academy and Bideford College, both part of Athena Learning Trust, have taken part in a three day expedition on the Quantock Hills this month.

The trip was undertaken as part of the students Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award and the group spent three days walking and two nights camping.  Despite some gloomy weather the students kept their spirits high and enjoyed setting up their tents every evening and cooking dinner at their camps.

The Quantock Hills,west of Bridgwater in Somerset, consist of heathland, oak woodlands, ancient parklands and agricultural land.  They were England's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, designated in 1956 and Natural England has since named the Quantock Hills as a national character area.

The Devon students demonstrated a variety of important skills during the expedition, including self sufficiency, team working and navigating difficult terrain as the weather worsened.  It will take the participants at least six months to achieve their Silver Award and many of them then hope to tackle the Gold!    

Taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award aims to empower young people and support them to learn new skills, overcome obstacles and build confidence and resilience.  HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh first considered the idea of a national programme to support young people’s development in the autumn of 1954 at the request of his inspiring former headmaster, Kurt Hahn.

The DofE continued to evolve over subsequent decades and in 1980 the age limit was extended so that any young person aged 14 to 24 could take part.  At this time, DofE programmes took on their current four section format of: Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition, with an additional Residential section at Gold level.  Popularity has continued to grow, with over 130 countries and territories now offering DofE programmes as part of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation.

Dr Claire Ankers, Principal at Bideford College and Atlantic Academy said:

“I am so proud of all the students taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, not only is it a brilliant achievement in itself, but it also provides young people with the resilience and adaptability that will serve them so well in other areas of their life.  I want our schools to help challenge children to be the very best they can be and participating in the DoE does exactly that.”