Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award 2026

After months of planning DofE season is now upon us. This year we have 160 Year 9’s undertaking the Bronze award and the last month has been very busy with training sessions in the Adshead Hall. Training was completed with the practice walks at Wythenshawe Park. In the relative safety of the park participants were able to demonstrate and hone their map-reading and navigation skills as they made their way around set routes taking them to the far extremities of the park using the orienteering posts in place. We finished our training by safely cooking a hot snack on the camp cookers (Trangias).

Massive thanks need to go to the park rangers who once again supported us in arranging access and allowing us to use the area in front of the Horticultural Centre as our base. As we were hopping from group to group, we heard comments such as ‘it doesn’t feel like you’re in Manchester’ and it certainly didn’t. I take this excellent facility, right on our doorstep for granted. It is truly a fantastic resource for events like ours and indeed for a family day out.

We are now looking forward to the expeditions, which take place, at the end of April and the start of May, at Rivington in Lancashire.

This year we also have 46 participants for the Silver DofE award. They will complete their two expeditions, which take place in the Peak District, during May and June.

Mr Eckersley and Dr Lane