10th May 25
Earlier this May, we were thrilled to see our largest ever cohort of Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants take on their practice expedition in the stunning South Downs. With eight teams setting out, it was a true celebration of adventure, teamwork, and personal growth.
Building on their Bronze experience, each team demonstrated impressive development in navigation and collaboration. Despite the heat and a demanding route, pupils remained upbeat and determined, showing remarkable positivity and resilience throughout the weekend.
The South Downs offered a spectacular backdrop for the expedition, with its rivers, rolling hills, ancient woodlands and the iconic chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters National Park. Camping at Foxhole, tucked away near the Cuckmere River, gave pupils the chance to disconnect from the digital world and immerse themselves in the peaceful beauty of their surroundings.
Evenings were spent cooking meals together and enjoying well-earned downtime. Many took the opportunity to watch the sun set over the coast—a perfect end to each day of exploration.
We are incredibly proud of our Year 10 pupils for their enthusiasm, independence, and perseverance. Their performance on this practice expedition has set a strong foundation for their assessed journey later this year, and we cannot wait to see them take the next step. This has been a very busy half term for our Year 10 pupils and we have been really impressed with how much they are doing outside of the classroom.