Fairfax Academy Duke of Edinburgh: Intrepid young explorers from Fairfax Academy put their resilience, teamwork and determination to the test during a challenging three-day expedition for their Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
The expedition saw more than 30 Year 11 students head to the White Peak area of Derbyshire’s Peak District, where they completed an assessed trek involving around six hours of walking each day.
Fairfax’s association with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award stretches back to the 1970s, when the Duke of Edinburgh himself visited the school. Since then, generations of students have taken part in the programme, challenging themselves to achieve Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.
Today, DofE remains firmly embedded in the culture of the school, with large numbers of students embracing the opportunity to develop new skills, volunteer in their communities and test themselves through outdoor expeditions.
Based at Shallow Grange campsite, the Fairfax students had to become completely self-sufficient as they navigated through the countryside, planned routes, cooked their own meals and made their way to a series of checkpoints.
Along the way, they developed valuable life skills, grew in confidence and independence, and forged even stronger bonds with their fellow students.
Richard Hobbs has been a member of Fairfax’s PE Faculty for 19 years and helps organise outdoor education and the Duke of Edinburgh programme at the school.
He said: “Our students took on a real challenge with this expedition and they all did excellently – everyone passed the expedition.
“We monitor their progress from a distance to make sure they’re on the right track, while giving them the freedom to make their own decisions and work independently.
“They also had to contend with the elements. We had some heavy rain and strong winds on the second night, but they handled it really well!”
Fairfax Academy Duke of Edinburgh expedition
As part of the expedition, each group was required to set itself an issue to explore during the trek, with many choosing to investigate the environmental impact of walkers on the landscape.
The expedition is one of the key elements students must complete to achieve their Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, alongside developing a personal skill and undertaking volunteering.
Mr Hobbs said: “It’s hard to put into words what DofE does for our students. I always say you can taste it, smell it and feel it – in the activities you do, the food you cook, the sweat and effort it takes to complete the expedition… and the aching bodies at the end of it!
“It’s a complete experience that builds resilience and independence. The students really have each other’s backs throughout the expedition, cheering one another up and motivating their groups when things get tough.
“And it’s not just the expedition that matters. The Award also requires students to develop personal skills and volunteer, which helps foster community spirit, teamwork and a sense of responsibility.
“It all contributes to helping our students become well-rounded, skilled and community-minded young people.”
Mr Hobbs added: “Doing the Award creates lasting memories. It’s something these students will be talking about months and even years down the line. It’s a genuinely formative experience.
“I’m so pleased it has become such an important part of life here at Fairfax. We have very large numbers of students completing the Award – usually around 80 at Bronze, 30 at Silver and 20 at Gold.
“Fairfax staff have even attended the annual palace garden party celebrating Gold Award achievers for the past two years.
“I couldn’t be prouder of all our students who have worked so hard towards their DofE Awards. They’ve challenged themselves, demonstrated what they’re capable of on so many levels and deserve enormous praise for their achievements.”
