Students Show Resilience and Teamwork During Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition

Date:  2nd - 3rd July 2026

Where:  Reculver Towers to Puddledock Woods Campsite

A select number of students successfully completed their Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition on 2–3 July, demonstrating outstanding resilience, teamwork and navigation skills over two challenging days in the Kent countryside.

The expedition began at Reculver Towers, where teams set off using Ordnance Survey maps to navigate their way south towards Boyden Gate before continuing along the Saxon Shore Way to Puddle Dock Woods campsite.

After a full day of walking, students selected suitable camping pitches, set up their tents independently and prepared nutritious evening meals using camping stoves. The evening provided a well-earned opportunity to relax, play games and reflect on the day's achievements before spending the night under canvas.

On the second day, the teams departed from Upstreet and navigated to a safe railway crossing before planning and following a route through Stodmarsh Nature Reserve. This section of the expedition proved particularly demanding, requiring careful navigation, effective communication and perseverance. Despite the challenges, every team successfully reached the checkpoint in Stodmarsh.

The final stage took students on to the historic town of Fordwich. Walking in warm conditions tested the teams' endurance, but their determination and positive attitude ensured they reached the Old Town Hall in good time, successfully completing the expedition.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition provides students with far more than the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. It encourages them to step outside their comfort zones, develop confidence and independence, and learn valuable life skills that cannot always be taught in the classroom. From making decisions under pressure and solving problems as a team to supporting one another through challenging conditions, students gain a greater sense of responsibility, resilience and self-belief. These experiences help prepare young people for future education, employment and life beyond school.

Throughout the two days, students displayed the core values of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award programme, including independence, leadership, problem-solving and resilience. Staff were delighted with the maturity, encouragement and teamwork shown by all participants, who supported one another throughout the expedition.

The school would like to congratulate all of the students who participated and thank the staff and volunteers whose support ensured the expedition was both safe and enjoyable.