We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of twenty‑three St John’s sixth form students who successfully completed their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition in summer 2025.
The expedition proved to be an experience of two very different halves. One group encountered blistering 27‑degree heat in the Langdale Valley in August, while the other faced days of relentless rain and winds reaching up to 50mph across Borrowdale and the Ullswater Valley. Sunshine appeared only at the very end of the journey.
Despite these extreme conditions, every student successfully completed the demanding four‑day expedition, including wild camping in the Langdale Valley – an unforgettable first‑time experience for many. All groups navigated with confidence, demonstrated exceptional resilience, and showed just how strong they had become as teams.
Prior to the qualifying expedition, students completed a practice expedition in the remote Cheviot Hills. This provided opportunities to develop essential skills such as navigation, campcraft, cooking, water‑crossing techniques and emergency first aid. Their route even allowed them to follow the border between England and Scotland, standing with one foot in each country.
Mark Whittaker, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Operations Manager for North East England, said: “Of more than 300,000 young people who undertook the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award this year, only 173 in the North East of England have completed the Gold the award.
“For 23 young people from one setting to do this is a staggering achievement. It’s a fantastic reflection on the hard work of these young people and the dedication of the school staff.”
We are looking forward to celebrating their achievements at Buckingham Palace later this year. This remarkable group of 23 students fully deserve the recognition they have earned. We commend all Gold participants not only for their determination, resilience and perseverance in challenging conditions, but also for their teamwork, empathy, environmental awareness and respect for the landscapes and accommodation they encountered along the way.
Congratulations to all involved on their accomplishments across eight challenging days and for their conscientious approach to every section of their Award. As they prepare to leave Sixth Form this year, we hope they carry with them memories and skills from this journey that will last a lifetime.