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Duke of Edinburgh students train for Gold Expedition in Peak District

Over the Easter break, Year 12 students spent four days making their way across the Peak District in Derbyshire to complete the practice expedition for their Gold Duke of Edinburgh award.

The 24 students had to carry all provisions in their backpacks, including tents, cooking equipment and most importantly, lots of high-energy food to ensure that they could meet the requirement for 8 hours of activity per day. The staff, on the other hand, had the luxury of a takeaway curry!

One of the criteria for the Gold award is the need to journey through ‘wild country’ and the slopes of Kinder Scout proved to be suitably challenging. At 2087 feet above sea level, it is the highest peak in the Peak District and once conquered, offered the groups stunning views across the surrounding moorland.

The weather was kind and there were a few cases of sunburn by the time it came to getting the (very quiet) coach home.

For their qualifying expedition in July, the students will be tackling the Brecon Beacons – we wish them the best of luck.

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20th November

Future Leaders Elected: Student Ambassador Sees Strong Turnout in Mock General Election

Pupils went to the polls on Thursday 13th November to elect their new Student Ambassador representatives, completing a campaign period that featured speeches in assemblies and a system designed to replicate a real-life general election. The ballot saw the election of one representative for KS3 and one for KS4/5, providing all pupils who chose to participate with valuable experience in the democratic process, including the requirement to use identification to cast their vote.  The high engagement was noted, with a 49.4% turnout for KS3 and an impressive 59.2% for KS4/5. This electoral practice took on particular significance, given the potential for 16-year-olds (our current Year 8 and above pupils) to vote in the next General Election in 2029 if proposed legislation is passed. The candidates for the KS3 role were Inaya A, Betsy G, Oliver H, Rithvik N, Ishvaa S and Isaac W. Contesting the KS4/5 position were Jasmine C, Arjun D P, Blake S and Charlie W. We extend congratulations to all candidates who participated, with Mrs. Brown, Head of Faculty for Political & Social Sciences, highlighting that it was "tough to stand in front of your peers and present," and emphasised that the candidates were "future leaders" whose participation was essential for a "democratic vote." Following the final count, Betsy G (Year 7) was announced as the new KS3 representative, having secured 160 votes. The KS4/5 seat was won by Arjun D P (Year 11), who tallied 205 votes. Both winners now begin their terms as the voice of their peers on the Student Council.