Gordano School is celebrating the outstanding commitment of its Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) participants, who between April 2024 and March 2025 dedicated an incredible 4,537 hours to volunteering in the local community. The Duke of Edinburgh Award has calculated the social value of these hours at more than £29,000 – a figure that highlights the significant contribution made by our young people.

From working in charity shops, community cafés, and libraries to supporting local sports clubs, Scouting and Girl Guiding groups, and school activities, Gordano students have given their time generously to help others. Their volunteering not only strengthens community life but also helps students develop valuable skills and confidence for the future.

“We are really proud of our students for what they do to give back to their local community,” said Mrs Allen, Deputy Lead for Outdoor Education at Gordano School. “These placements are also great work experience for our students and help them to build confidence and develop the skills they need to secure jobs in the future. A huge thank you to all the local organisations that offer placements and support our young people.”

One organisation to benefit from student volunteering is Turn the Tide Portishead, a local community group dedicated to keeping the town’s beaches, open spaces and streets clean. They said: "Local community group Turn The Tide Portishead are delighted to have the help of Gordano students completing their Bronze, Silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh awards.  Since 2020, 130 students have completed their voluntary hours and joined us on our monthly Portishead Big Cleans as well as carrying out their own litter picks around the town, working with us in our mission to keep Portishead’s beaches, open spaces and streets clean and tidy.  Since September 2020, the students have collected 1,771 bags of litter from over 90 locations in Portishead. Many of our students express a new awareness of the effect littering has on both our local and wider environments and a desire to spread the word among their peers and carry on the good work."

Other local organisations – including the Beacon Hub, Portishead Youth Centre, and Portishead Library – have also provided opportunities for students to gain experience and make a difference.

Nigel Osmond of Portishead Football Club said: “We have always been proud to support pupils from Gordano School in their pursuit of the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Their commitment and enthusiasm not only contribute to their own personal growth, but also bring real benefits to our club. Our coaches value the energy and dedication these pupils bring, and we’ve been fortunate to see some of them go on to become talented future coaches within our team.”

The Duke of Edinburgh Award has praised the achievements of Gordano’s participants, saying:

“We are immensely proud of the dedication, effort and achievement of young people making an impact in their community.”

As the school launches its 2025/26 Duke of Edinburgh programme, many new students are seeking volunteering placements. Gordano would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all the community groups, charities and businesses that continue to support young people on their Duke of Edinburgh journey.