Head of Department: Mr C Cutler

The number of students opting for the Award Scheme is growing steadily from year to year. As well as looking impressive on CV's or UCAS application forms, the candidates generally have a great deal of fun whilst pursuing all four Sections of the Award, and become better citizens because of it. Numbers choosing the scheme are at a record high at present with 53 pursuing their Bronze Award and 26 enrolled on the Silver.

It is a four-Section Programme with three progressive levels:

• Bronze (for those aged 14 and over)
• Silver (for those aged 15 and over) and
• Gold (for those aged 16 and over).

The Sections involve:

• Service (helping other people in the local community)
• Expeditions (training for, planning and completing a journey on foot or horseback, by boat or cycle)
• Skills (covering almost any hobby, skill or interest)
• Physical Recreation (sport, dance and fitness)

Key Principles

Non-competitive, available to all, flexible, balanced, progressive, achievement focused, a marathon not a sprint, personal development and most of all enjoyable.

The Award is available at the start of the Autumn Term at Year 10 for the Bronze Award and for Year 11 the Silver Award. All assessment and training sessions for the Expeditions are coordinated by an outside agency where all staff are Mountain Leader Qualified (ML) and offers 24 hour emergency back up.

In the Service Section, most candidates opt for the excellent 'Life Saver Plus' First Aid Course provided by the St John Ambulance. The trainers visit the College and the students are assessed by health professionals. The Skills and Physical Recreation Sections are well catered for by the College. There are a wide range of musical, dramatic and sporting opportunities outside school hours available for students to take advantage of within the Award as they pursue their own hobbies.