Almost 30 students from two of our Cambridgeshire academies have successfully completed the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award - the first students in alternative provision locally to achieve this prestigious, nationally recognised qualification.
It was made possible through funding and support from the Olive Academies Foundation, which part-funded the expeditions and fully funded the purchase of essential equipment such as tents, sleeping bags and mats.
Since introducing the scheme, 29 students across OA-Nene Valley and OA-Cambridge have taken part in the Bronze Award. These residential expeditions give students the opportunity to experience camping, bushcraft, kayaking and mountain biking - activities that venture beyond their comfort zones and help them develop practical life skills.
The DofE Award encourages young people to challenge themselves, work as a team and develop independence. For students in alternative provision, these experiences carry particular significance. Many have faced barriers to participation in mainstream education, and opportunities like DofE provide a new environment in which they can succeed.
Taking part supports the development of skills, such as communication, problem solving and resilience. It also contributes positively to physical and mental wellbeing and allows students to give back to their local communities through volunteering.
We loved the Duke of Edinburgh expedition - my favourite bit was telling stories around the fire at night with everyone. We couldn’t have done it without the money from the foundation.
Year 11 student from OA-Nene Valley
Delivering the programme within an alternative provision brought its own challenges. Many students had little experience of outdoor learning or residential stays, and the cost of equipment and logistics could have been a major barrier.
With support from the Foundation and DofE’s ‘Access Without Limits’ initiative, staff were able to remove these barriers, providing specialist preparation sessions in camping and bushcraft, building confidence before the trip and ensuring that all necessary resources were in place.
The results have been transformative. Students who took part demonstrated increased confidence, teamwork and perseverance. Many discovered new interests and a stronger sense of belonging. Staff reported improved engagement back in the classroom, with students showing greater pride in their achievements and success.
The investment in reusable expedition equipment means the programme can continue for future cohorts, with plans to expand participation year on year.
For Olive Academies, the Duke of Edinburgh Award has become a key example of how alternative provision can offer high-quality, aspirational opportunities that allow young people to venture beyond.
