St Helen’s has offered the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme for many years, and we are very proud to have obtained the status of a Directly Licensed Centre, enabling us to deliver the Award independently on our own premises and using our own staff.
Students must complete four elements to gain an Award: an Expedition, a Service element, Physical Recreation and a Skill element, providing many opportunities to get involved in a range of activities and to develop new interests.
Approximately half of the girls in Years 10 and 11 participate in the Award Scheme, with an impressive number completing their Bronze and Silver Awards before going on to pursue the Gold Award in the Sixth Form.
The first cohort of St Helen’s pupils to complete their Gold Awards visited St James’ Palace on the 23rd June 2014 and received their awards from HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.
Only 3% of girls nationally, who start the Duke of Edinburgh scheme at 16, go on to complete their Gold Award. We are delighted that seven students have completed their Gold DofE award this past academic year (Yr 13 Class of 2023). A further four girls have completed their Gold Certificate of Achievement and are hoping to complete their residential in the near future.
