NORTH WALSHAM HIGH SCHOOL ANNOUNCES PIONEERING DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S SCHEME INITIATIVE

145 North Walsham teenagers are being given the chance to ‘be inspired and transform their lives’, after the announcement by North Walsham High School that it is the first school in East Anglia to encourage an entire year group to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

All Year 9 students are being offered the chance to take on the DofE Bronze award over the coming months by the school, which is a Directly Licensed Centre for the scheme, allowing it to grant awards.

From January, all 145 Year 9 students will be encouraged to take part,  undertaking an hour’s volunteering in the community each week for three months, an hour a week learning a new skill, and an hour’s physical activity each week.  The scheme will be rounded off with an expedition in June.

“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is so positive for young people,” said assistant head teacher Angela Waters, who is leading the initiative.  “Often, though, it is only the most confident children who get involved.  We wanted everyone to have the opportunity to benefit, which is why we are encouraging every Year 9 student to take part.

“The scheme teaches young people resilience, which is an extremely useful life skill to acquire before they get to the exam period of the time at high school.  It really helps bring out the best in young people, challenging them, building their confidence, raising their aspirations, and giving them a whole range of new skills – social, physical and community skills.

“For those who go on to achieve the highest level, a Gold Award, they will have a qualification which will be looked on favourably by colleges, universities and employers alike.  It shows that the young person is prepared to invest dedication and commitment to achieve their goals.”

The Year 9 DofE initiative is the first in a series of extra-curriculum initiatives which will be announced over the course of this academic year at NWHS.

Established in 1956, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award aims to ‘inspire, guide and support young people in their self-development and recognise their achievements’.  It aims to assist the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of young people.  It is described as the world’s leading achievement award for young people.  In 2016/17, 133,369 young people gained a Bronze, Silver or Gold award.