Written by Mr Edwards:

Today I had the privilege of attending one of the national celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Across two ceremonies today (with further celebrations scheduled later in the week), around 12,000 people attended to celebrate the remarkable impact that DofE has had on young people over the past seven decades. The atmosphere throughout the day was inspiring, with powerful stories demonstrating how the Award continues to build confidence, resilience, skills and a commitment to serving others.

It was also wonderful to catch up with a number of former Taunton School students who completed their DofE Awards with us and to hear about the different paths they have taken since leaving school. Seeing the lasting impact that the Award has had on their lives was a timely reminder of why the programme remains such an important part of a young person’s development.

One particularly memorable speaker was Jon Wott, who spoke about completing his DofE whilst in prison and described the Award as “transformative.” His message to young people was simple but powerful: “Take the opportunity while you can. You never know where it will lead.”

As DofE Manager at Taunton School, it was a privilege to represent the school (along with Mr Pearson) at such a significant milestone and to celebrate an organisation that continues to provide life-changing opportunities for young people across the UK and beyond.