Gordano School is thrilled to celebrate the successful completion of its Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Qualifying Expedition, which recently took place in the rugged and beautiful landscapes of Snowdonia National Park. Over several days, students tackled mountainous routes with confidence, navigating tough terrain, battling with the midges at campsites, and working seamlessly in their expedition teams — all while enjoying sunshine, stunning views, and a strong sense of achievement.

Polly Oakman, who leads the DofE programme at Gordano School, praised the students:
"Our Gold participants were incredible. They showed perseverance, initiative and maturity throughout the expedition. We couldn’t have asked for better conditions — both in terms of weather and team spirit. The students truly rose to the challenge and should be immensely proud of what they’ve accomplished."

This expedition marks the final step in a demanding year-long journey, with students also completing their Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and Residential sections. Their next destination? Buckingham Palace, where they will be invited to a special Gold Award Celebration Event to mark their extraordinary achievement.

This follows in the footsteps of last year’s Gold Award recipients from Gordano — Frankie S, Sam B, Joe W , Hamish L-T and Bertie W — who were honoured at Buckingham Palace earlier this year. The celebration, held in the palace’s stunning gardens, brought together Gold Award holders from across the UK in recognition of their commitment, service, and personal development. Representing Gordano School at such a prestigious event was a huge honour, and this year’s cohort will have the same remarkable opportunity.

Gordano School remains a regional leader in the DofE programme, with the highest number of new starters in the South-West for the second consecutive year. A total of 336 students are participating in the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards this year:

• 195 Bronze
• 91 Silver
• 50 Gold

"We had 306 take part last year and we’re proud to have grown the programme even further," said Ms Oakman. “The Duke of Edinburgh Award equips our students with real-world skills, builds resilience and self-belief, and encourages them to make a difference in their communities — all qualities that reflect the values we hold at Gordano.”

Each DofE journey is individually tailored, with students selecting their own activities and causes to support. With four key sections — and five at Gold level — the award pushes young people beyond their comfort zones and gives them the tools to thrive. As HRH Prince Philip, founder of the DofE, once said: “There is more in you than you might think.”

With universities and employers around the world recognising the value of the DofE Award, Gordano School is proud to support students in achieving this prestigious accolade and looks forward to seeing this year's Gold Award recipients celebrated at Buckingham Palace in 2026.