The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award encourages pupils to become healthy, independent, responsible citizens through the programme which recognises their development in a skill, a physical activity, and helping others by volunteering. The culmination of the award is an expedition. The outdoor environment provides significant opportunities for the development of listening skills, leadership, team working and communicating effectively which are competencies that are essential for pupils’ future independence, employability and happiness. The outdoor environment is also beneficial to building maturity, sound mental health and social integration.Our DofE expeditions have one of the highest rates of uptake in the North East and we remain the biggest single centre in the whole of Northumberland and Newcastle.