Heworth Grange School in Gateshead, part of Consilium Academies, is today celebrating a £5,000 grant from the Department for Education towards their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) scheme, accrediting the school as a licenced DofE centre which can run the scheme for students and staff under 25 at all award levels.

Heworth Grange has used the funding to purchase equipment such as tents and rucksacks for students to use, as well as offering fully funded places to Pupil Premium students registering on the DofE Bronze level award.  

The school now has over 30 students registered on the Bronze award, and many who are close to completing it following their Bronze expedition.

Amber Jones, Year 11 student at Heworth Grange School, said:

“The Duke of Edinburgh award scheme helps us to learn about being independent and resilient. We are learning skills that will help us in the real world.”

 

Martyn Searles, Personal Development Lead at Heworth Grange School, said:

“An intrinsic part of the Personal Development programme at Heworth is to develop the character of our students, to equip them with the skills that they need to be active and responsible citizens, and to be able to successfully make the transition to the world of work.

“We have developed a programme to raise aspirations, develop character and resilience and to prepare students for the outside world”.

Allie Denholm, Headteacher at Heworth Grange School, said:

“We are so grateful for support from the Department of Education in giving our students such a rich opportunity to participate in the DofE Award scheme. Our students involved are loving the experience of the award and appreciate its value for future employers.

 

“This is just the start of the scheme and now that we have the funding in place, we can progress students onto the Silver award and start recruiting many more students – who can also enjoy the benefits that participation brings.”