St John’s Sixth Form in Bishop Auckland is celebrating an exceptional year for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, with an incredible 23 students achieving their Gold Award—a remarkable accomplishment that reflects dedication, teamwork and resilience.

The celebrations reached a truly unforgettable high point with a visit to Buckingham Palace, where students were recognised for their achievements. For many, it was the perfect way to mark the culmination of months of commitment and hard work.

Leo Bartle captured the spirit of the journey, saying:

“Achieving this award has been the highlight of my time at St John’s. Taking part has allowed me to develop new skills, has helped me work better with others, and that if things get rough, I won’t give up.”

The road to success was anything but easy. Students undertook a demanding expedition across some of the Lake District’s most challenging landscapes, including Langdale Valley, Borrowdale and Ullswater Valley. Faced with extremes of British weather—from 50mph winds and driving rain to 27-degree heat—they demonstrated perseverance and adaptability throughout.

Lucy Maddison, who led the expedition, praised the students’ determination and teamwork:

“Often they overcame difficulties by supporting one another throughout.”

This sense of unity and resilience is at the heart of St John’s Sixth Form, where students are encouraged to embrace opportunities, challenge themselves, and grow both personally and academically.

For Ezri, the experience was both demanding and deeply rewarding:

“Buckingham Palace was an amazing experience and felt very poetic that I would both meet Prince Edward and complete my Gold DofE expedition in a heat wave!”

Reflecting on the overall journey, Ezri added:

“Completing my Gold Award was such an incredible achievement for both me and my whole group. It taught us so many valuable skills which we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. I cannot recommend Gold DofE enough to anyone considering embarking on this difficult but immensely rewarding journey!”

This year’s success not only highlights the strength of the DofE programme at St John’s Sixth Form, but also showcases the determination and character of its students. From the rugged fells of Cumbria to the grandeur of Buckingham Palace, their journey is one of inspiration—and proof of what can be achieved with ambition, teamwork and resilience.