Duke of Edinburgh's Award - 2024/25

The Duke of Edinburgh’s award aims to empower young people, support them as they learn new skills, overcome obstacles, and build confidence and resilience. There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. These involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition.

DofE Bronze Assessed Expedition - Phasels Wood

Well done to the current Year 9's who have been working towards their Bronze Award and have displayed team spirit, resilience and commitment throughout their Assessed Expedition.

13th June 2025, 37 Students from Year 9 have all taken part in and completed their Expedition section with resilience, despite the hayfever, sunburn and ‘navigational challenges’. These students preserved through the physical and mental demands of a walking expedition, walking approximately 26km over two days.

Starting at Chorley Wood Station, with a few checkpoints on the way, they all took in turns to navigate using a map and compass and not a single phone in sight (All phones were taped up inside their rucksacks for emergency only). Once participants arrived at Phasel Woods Scout Camp, they worked together to pitch their tents and cook their hot meals over a Camping Stove.

HEHS are very proud of their achievements and hope to see them progress to the Silver level of the DofE Award next year.

DofE Silver Expedition Assessed - New Forest

Well done to the 15 students who completed their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition in the New Forest on 4th to 6th July 2025. Unpredictable weather forecast meant students packed and prepared for all weather. Luckily, despite the planned rain, we only had sunshine as we arrived at our first Campsite 'Tile Barn Activity Centre'.

Throughout the 3 days, our students showed great determination despite the hours of walking with a heavy rucksack and working very hard not to get lost. They battled blisters, testing conditions and walked over 50km during the weekend.

By the end of the expedition our groups had mastered navigation using a map and compass, whilst also showing unity to work effectively as a team.

The route offered amazing views and the students saw lots of New forest ponies on their travels, many with foals.

All students cheered and celebrated as they took their last steps onto the bus, with a sense of achievement and pride heading back to school.