The Grange School celebrates thirty years of the Duke of Edinburgh's award
In 2012 The Grange reached its thirtieth year of participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. From its pioneering days under Mr. Phillip Weatherley the school's involvement has developed enormously in every area: the numbers of staff and students participating, resources, the range of activities offered, and the scope of the expeditions undertaken. Indeed such is the nature of its growth that we are now the second largest DOE unit in the North West.
The Award scheme at Bronze and Silver levels consists of four components: Volunteering, formerly known as Service, Physical Recreation, Skills and the Expedition. The Gold Award adds a Residential Qualification of five days and nights spent on a specialised activity; our students have, for example, joined archaeological digs and cathedral choirs.
Under Phil Weatherley, assisted by Mrs. Steph Percy and with just a resources cupboard in Room G1, the scheme had three Bronze groups in 1986. Since then, under the leadership of Mrs. Barbara Broderick, the scheme has grown to seven core staff plus numerous helpers, a resources room and 280 pupils involved, with 13 Bronze groups, 8 Silver groups and no fewer than 66 individuals working towards their Gold Awards! Mrs Broderick estimates that around 2000 students have enrolled on the Award over the thirty year period.
Furthermore, the Grange now has its own Operating Licence, meaning that we have been classed as competent in the scheme according to defined and exacting standards - so that we ourselves assess and certificate students at Bronze and Silver levels.
The sheer range of activities currently undertaken by participants is truly remarkable. In the Skills sections pupils are now featuring complex juggling routines and playing musical instruments to Grade 8 standard. Sport, within the Physical Recreation section, now includes football, rugby, tennis, badminton, golf and athletics - in many cases to county standard.
The Service component gives enormous scope for pupils to contribute to the community: our involvement includes gardening, shopping for the elderly, Riding for the Disabled, working with Sundowners, Brownies and Guides, and helping in a range of charity shops.
Probably the most spectacular developments have been in the expeditions. Students work in Delamere Forest, the Lake District or North Wales but candidates for Gold have, in recent years, experienced the rewards and tribulations of the Pyrenees, Kenya, Tanzania, Ecuador and Peru - climbing, canoeing and cycling as well as trekking!
Through its many and varied challenges the Award has brought enormous benefits to Grange students - and for the last three years they have been able to enjoy these rewards from the Third Year upwards. In Mrs. Broderick's view the scheme adds enormously to their lives, "bringing personal enrichment and developing initiatives and teamwork, as well as the ability to cope with extremes" - qualities held in high regard by universities and employers. Her own daughter Elizabeth - a Gold Award holder through the Grange - is now herself running the scheme at another centre. In the words of one sixth former "The award helps you build teams and friendships; it gives you confidence and - above all -it is great fun".
In looking back at her involvement since 1986, Mrs. Broderick remembers many highlights, with perhaps the best moments of all being Millie Hawes's remarkable traversal of the Lake District in her wheelchair in 2011, and in 2004 reaching the summit of Mount Kenya.
Mrs Broderick has particular praise and gratitude for the many members of staff over the years who have provided invaluable assistance, and for the parents whose support has been unstinting. And as for the future? She looks forward to the scheme becoming even bigger and better!