Presdales Bronze DofE 2025–2026: A Brilliant Qualifying Expedition!

A total of 123 fantastic Year 9 students have successfully conquered the final stage of their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award journey by completing their Qualifying Expedition with energy, enthusiasm, and a brilliant sense of adventure. Setting off from Welwyn North Station Car Park, the students headed out in small teams to navigate their way between checkpoints using only their pre-created route plans and their own map and compass skills. Unlike their Practice Expedition in March, where instructors walked alongside them, this final assessment was remotely supervised, requiring students to navigate independently and check in at designated points. The level of confidence and capability they displayed was exceptional, particularly on Thursday evening when, after a long day of walking, the groups set up camp and cooked their food. The students also enjoyed a surprise morale boost at the campsite from Mrs Cope and her golden retriever, Koa, who visited to see how they were doing and wish them well.

Throughout the two-day expedition, it was a pleasure to watch the students working together with maturity, kindness, and a genuine sense of camaraderie. Their teamwork, navigational skills, and positive attitudes were consistently impressive, and we’re incredibly proud of the way they supported one another and made the most of every challenge thrown their way. The majority of these students have now also completed their Volunteering, Physical, and Skills sections, with many final assessor reports already submitted, meaning that their full Bronze Award is nearly ready to be officially approved by the County team.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to launch the Silver DofE programme later this term and we hope many of these Bronze participants will take the next step. The Silver expeditions will take place in the beautiful Chiltern Hills, offering more challenging routes, stunning views, and some of the team’s absolute favourite campsites. Furthermore, because they have already completed their Bronze Award, students are eligible for a reduced Silver timescale of just six months, making it highly manageable alongside their Year 10 studies. A huge well done goes to every single student who took part – their determination, teamwork, and humour made this experience a joy for all involved, and we cannot wait to see where their journey takes them next.

DofE Team

DofE Gold & Silver Expeditions – An Unforgettable Adventure

As the school year drew to a close, our Year 11 and 12 students took on the final major challenge of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award: the Silver and Gold expeditions. With a combined total of over 100 participants between the two levels, these expeditions were a true test of endurance, teamwork and determination – and our students more than rose to the occasion.

Gold Expedition – Snowdonia Challenge

This year’s Gold expedition doubled as a practice for our Year 11s and the qualifying expedition for Year 12 students – a demanding yet rewarding five-day adventure in the rugged beauty of Snowdonia.

Fifty students set off, and an impressive 45 completed the full journey, covering tough terrain with daily hikes lasting up to 8 hours. Routes took students to heights of 890 metres with punishing inclines, challenging even the fittest participants. Blisters, aching limbs and early starts were par for the course – but spirits remained high.

Each evening, groups plotted their next day’s route, using compasses and Sharpies to navigate the mountains ahead. Despite the midges (which were, at times, relentless!), students embraced the camping experience. Campfire games – including Codenames, MöLKKY, and even frying-pan rounders – brought much-needed laughter and camaraderie after long days of hiking.

The Gold groups showed tremendous grit, good humour, and mutual support – all qualities that lie at the heart of the DofE Award.

Silver Expedition – Fun in the Chiltern Sun

Meanwhile, our 68 Silver participants completed their three-day qualifying expedition in the Chiltern Hills this week, experiencing a very different challenge – high temperatures and blazing sun, with some days reaching 30°C.

Students trekked for 7 hours a day across open countryside, with every single participant successfully completing the expedition. Evenings were full of laughter and energy, despite the exertions of the day – from sleeping bag races down hills to a spontaneous and now-legendary water fight.

The spark? Dec’s water balloon catapult. What followed was a full-scale showdown: instructors, campsite owner Colin, and Dec himself versus the students. The hillside echoed with squeals of delight as students ran free, phones forgotten, creating memories that will last long after the sunburn fades.

As the sun set on the final evening, casting golden light over the Chiltern landscape, there was a strong sense that something special had happened. Not just an expedition completed, but a shared experience of resilience, friendship, and joy.

A True Reflection of Presdales Spirit

Across both expeditions, our students were exceptional. They tackled extreme terrain, unpredictable weather, and physical exhaustion – and still managed to lift one another up, stay positive, and show outstanding teamwork and resilience.

These expeditions were not just a test of endurance; they were a celebration of character. We are incredibly proud of every student who took part. Whether reaching the summit in Snowdonia or cooling off with water balloons in the Chilterns, they demonstrated what it truly means to be part of the Presdales DofE community.

Well done to you all.