During the second week of the October half-term holiday eighteen pupils in three separate groups returned to Dartmoor for their Qualifying Expedition.
The assessors, a husband and wife team, met us at the bunkhouse accommodation and immediately put the pupils and staff at their ease. They could see that our pupils were well trained and able, and so asked the pupils some demanding questions to get them to show how knowledgeable they really were, they were suitably impressed! The assessors had worked a great deal with young people and encouraged them all the way on their venture.
On Monday the groups started out on their four-day wild-country experience, checked on remotely by the staff en-route and at each wild camp location. The moor was very wet – the rivers and streams were at a safe level to cross thankfully. The weather was mixed and the groups coped well. An all Bayley boys group was exceptionally strong and the assessors were really impressed by them. The other two groups were mixed but they worked really well together even if they did get off course occasionally! The assessors said this did not matter as the pupils were so enthusiastic and were enjoying themselves.
The wild terrain, frequent Bronze Age sites with stone circles, rows, menhirs etc, and the challenge that the expedition provided were all very enjoyable.
The groups finished in very good order on Thursday night and they were grateful for a hot shower, meal, and roof over their heads once again. The assessors were happy to pass all of them.
The pupils were a pleasure to work with and some of the best organised we have had for a long time. I expect that they will complete the rest of their award in the next few months and will continue to be part of our 100% completion rate.
Click here to read Bryn Windsor’s account of the expedition (PDF download)