At the start of the summer holidays, we dispatched Silver D of E candidates on their assessed expedition to Dartmoor and the Gold Candidates to the Black Mountains of Mid Wales.

Twenty-six Silver students, directed by Mr Langley, conducted a three-day expedition centred around Princetown. They explored the wilds of the South Moor around Nuns Cross and the Fox Tor Mires before heading towards Burrator and the edges of the military ranges on the North Moor. After passing through idyllic Postbridge they finished near the Warren House Inn. They stayed in basic campsites on local farms enduring a mixed bag of weather conditions but ending with the sun trying to creep out and assist in drying their tents.

Sixteen students embarked for the Black Mountains with Mr Pearson. Starting on a windswept Sugar Loaf above Abergavenny they crossed to Cwmdu before heading up over the norther escarpment and descending into the Wye Valley. As they reascended the escarpment the weather changed dramatically from 25 miles of visibility to 5 meters, however the teams just managed to stay together before descending into the shelter of the magnificent Vale of Ewyas. Here they camped in the shadow of the ruined Llanthony Prior before one last climb over the ridges and back to Crickhowell to finish with sunshine and smiles. 

All teams completed their expeditions and passed this phase of their awards. Such a great achievement. A big thank you to all the staff who gave up the start of their holidays to facilitate these adventures.