Expedition

This is the start of an adventure. At St Clement Danes we offer mainly walking expeditions but in theory you can use a range of mode of transport. To find out more visit the DofE website or search the Approved Activity providers to find your own expedition.

Expedition MUST all have an aim here are some ideas.

Decorate a white t-shirt, using inspiration from the scenery that you see along your route. 

Make a video diary of your team’s experiences, from camping and cooking to reaching your destination. 

Plan a route near a castle and explore how old it is and who occupied it in the past. 

Consider the impact of vehicles on the environment along your route. 

Record your different emotions over the expedition and relate them to the physical challenge. 

At Bronze we will set their aim in the past years we have used "Create a song, poem, rap or drama sketch to encapsulate the spirit of DoE inspired by your journey" and "Record the weather at each checkpoint". The latter is then used in Geography lessons back at school.

Duke of Edinburgh Dates 2025-2026

ALL

September 10th Parent Meeting - Recorded version can be found here.

Bronze - School of outdoors will run the year 9 sessions

Year 10 Bronze Qualifying 2 – 19th -25th September 2025

Year 9 Bronze Training Day 7th March 2026

Year 9 Practice expedition 4pm 17th April - 18th April 2026

Year 9 Qualifying expedition 8th - 9th May 2026

Silver - Run by SCD staff

Year 10 Silver route planning Saturday 7th February 2026 - 9.30am - 4pm (followed by parent meeting)

Year 10 Silver practice expedition – 2nd - 4th May 2026

Year 10 Silver Qualifying 11th - 13th Jun e2026

Gold - Hepworth Adventures will run the school walking expedition

Year 13 Gold Expedition Presentations Tuesday 23rd September 6:30pm Barbirolli Hall

Year 12 Gold Training session -TBC - after school - Cooking (ration packs)!

Year 12 Gold Training Day 7th February 2026 - 9.30 - 4pm

Year 12 Gold practice expedition - 26th - 20th May 2026  (Location TBC but possibly Lake District)

Year 12 Gold Qualifying 17th -23rd/24th July TBC (Location Tatra Mountains TBC)

At Gold we try to give you as much choice over your expedition as possible we work with a number of Approved Activity Providers to give you a choice.

Walking is by far our most popular mode of transport but we have had students complete their expedition on horseback, kayaking and sailing. Please speak to Mrs Kirby about what mode of transport you would like and she will be able to support you find the right expedition.

At Gold the walking expedition must take place in "wild" country and students are also give the opportunity to "wild" camp. This means walking up to the remote hills and mountains and pitching your tent in a suitable location, usually close to a water source. Students have to be prepared to dig their own toilet and collect water from the streams. The added bonus is that the following day there is less uphill climbing as the climbing was completed the day before.

Here are some of the feedback from students who have wild camped:

"Loved it, very fun to laugh with friends and experience camping away from anyone else"

"It was really fun, I enjoyed the freedom of it and the views were amazing, I would definitely recommend it to other people. The walk up there had us regretting it but the camp made it worth it."

"Fab but the walk there was horrendously boggy. It was nice to see the stars"