Duke of Edinburgh Gold Assessment success!

Over half term, 16 of our Year 13 pupils headed for the Brecon Beacons (Bannua Brycheiniog) for their Gold Duke of Edinburgh assessment. The trip followed their successful practice expedition in July, on the Black Mountains. Saturday night was spent packing and repacking ahead of the pupils’ 7am start with many claiming “it doesn’t fit in my rucksack”. It did, of course. The group met their assessors and then set off on their self-supported expedition covering the length of the Brecon Beacons and summit Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales. Over the fours days the weather was a predictable mixed bag and while the well-prepared pupils persisted, even the best boots gave out after a while. Heavy rain seeped through the pupils’ tents in the evenings and the darker mornings made getting up hard. However, as they summitted the ridge of Pen y Fan, wet, tired and elated, the sun came out for a sparkling view. This expedition is no mean feat, and we are delighted how the pupils worked as a team on a challenge they will remember for rest of their lives.