After a year’s worth of hard work, training and a practice expedition, the Year 10s and 11s at Spring Brook Academy have now achieved their Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award following the successful completion of their qualifying camping expedition just before the end of term..

The expedition was 2 days long, walking up the River Dove in Derbyshire in beautiful sunshine..

..and then camping at Barracks Farm before waking up to heavy rain for our second day’s walking down the River Manifold to Thor’s Cave..

The group did extremely well coping with the different weather conditions and safely navigating their way as a team to their destination. They explored the local caves on the way, climbing up to Dove Holes and Thor’s Cave..

All of the pupils carried everything they needed for two days, including all their camping equipment, food and clothing and all managed to set up and take down their tents..

..cook their own food..

..followed by washing up and stowing the equipment back in their bags..

This group are the first ever from Spring Brook to achieve a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. It was introduced as a new subject this year to help build confidence, independence and problem solving skills, as well as developing the social and emotional skills that our SEMH pupils struggle so much with.

Congratulations to all the pupils and staff on this massive achievement!!

Mr Hopkins

…and an enormous thank you to Mr Hopkins for all his hard work too – we think he deserves an award of his own!!