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Duke Of Edinburgh
Shapwick pupils are encouraged to complete the bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Many complete the award in Year 10, with the remainder during Year 11.
To gain the Award pupils must complete four sections, involving an expedition, a physical activity, a skill and voluntary service in the community.
In 2009 the qualifying expedition for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was on the Mendip Hills, camping overnight at Longbottom Farm. The pupils began at Bleadon Hill, in groups of between 4 & 6, navigating their way to Priddy via Shipham, Velvet Bottom, Black Rock, Bradley Cross and Draycott. The purpose of the expedition was to look at footpath erosion along the route. This expedition followed training sessions and a practice camp on Exmoor.
For the volunteering section of the award the students studied how the Police in Somerset carry out their work in the community. The course was organized by Bridgwater Police Station and included many busy practical evenings from the scenes of crime officers, the riot squad, the firearms officers, the dog handling department and the Courts. The students visited Taunton Magistrates Court where they were given an excellent tour and talk culminating in seeing a court case first hand. They have also visited Bridgwater Police station where they were able to experience one of their peer group being ‘arrested’ and taken through the procedures in the custody suite. The various cars and vans used by the Police were fun to sit in and learn about.
In addition to the Expedition and Volunteering sections of the award all participants have to complete a physical activity of their choice and a skill that is non physical outside of normal lesson times. Pupils tend to use the afterschool activity time to complete this half of the award. During 2009 the physical activities included outdoor pursuits, rugby, football, table tennis, swimming, kayaking, netball, cricket, walking for fun, horse riding, judo, basketball and triathlon and the skills are: piano, guitar, gardening, card making, mahjong, wildlife walks, drums and lego club.
Many Shapwick pupils continue the award in their post 16 education with a view to reaching gold as it is open to all until the age of 25 years.
