No Coasting on Path to Duke of Edinburgh Awards…

This weekend, we had a party of 48 students on DofE expeditions in East Devon. Thirty eight were Clyst Vale students, joined by 10 from other schools. The Silver expedition camped for two nights, joining the Bronze expedition for the second night. The routes varied, with Bronze setting off from Budleigh and following the coast path via Peak Hill and Jacob’s Ladder to Branscombe, before returning inland on Sunday with the eventual destination of Newton Poppleford. The students were a credit to themselves, families and Clyst Vale, and as always we are deeply indebted to Ms Barratt and Mr Robb, supported by Mrs Broomfield, Ms Haynes and Ms Gale. Mr Eales was also involved, but was required to attend an all-day briefing on Saturday about Ten Tors, in which we have been allocated a team space in each of the 35, 45 and 55-mile categories.

(It is not always appreciated that 38 students is a huge number for a school which isn’t an independent public school, and certainly among the largest number in the south-west. This explains why other schools sometimes send two or three students to join us. It also explains why I repeatedly thank all of my colleagues who give so generously of their weekend time, because without them the opportunity just wouldn’t be there for our students.)