This year, KLB marks the tenth anniversary of KLB being a DofE licensed organisation able to deliver the award scheme at school. Since 2015 hundreds of KLB students have successfully completed either a Bronze, Silver or Gold level award with many progressing through the levels during their school career.

The DofE award provides a framework for young people to push themselves as individuals, become active members of their community, expand their horizons and try something new. Participants take themselves out of their comfort zone, build resilience and develop the skills that will help them to navigate life’s challenges.

We are especially pleased to have such strong numbers of students at all levels this year who have decided to take up the challenges of the award by devising a programme of Voluntary, Physical and Skills activities and completing an expedition.

At the beginning of last week, 148 year 9 students (over 60% of the yeargroup) undertook the Training Day element of their expedition planning. Ocean Rock staff came into school to guide the participants in camp crafts, packing a rucksack with essential items, basic first aid, map reading and route plotting. They also did team building exercises to learn how to work together effectively as a DofE group.

The 56 Silver participants in year 10 experienced a similar day. For many, who had completed the Bronze award last year, this was a useful refresher. The Golds will have their training day at the beginning of February.

The weather was good for the Silvers until the afternoon when a sudden downpour gave some of them a good drenching! The Bronze groups had to put up with drizzle for most of the day – a good lesson in exposure to the outdoors in the British climate. Despite this, they all got stuck in and thoroughly engaged with the process.

We wish all this year’s participants well on their DofE journey.