Duke of Edinburgh awards

Hiking up to thirty kilometres a day, the cadets navigated a challenging course along the South Downs as part of their Bronze level-awards.

Working in teams of six, the cadets carried everything they needed for the trip in their rucksacks, and spent the nights sleeping under canvas in local campsites.

Participants also spent the expedition recording information for their research projects on local parish churches, which they presented to their friends and assessors on their return to school.

The School’s cadet force offers full support to students completing their Duke of Edinburgh Awards up to Gold level, with students’ participation in regular cadet training counting as part of the service component of the award.

“It was an exhausting few days for many of the students”, commented Captain Mark Aggrey, who commands the School’s cadet force.

“The cadets demonstrated real drive and stamina to successfully complete the course, with many groups having to rely on the night navigation techniques they have been taught to make their check points on time. I am hugely proud with all the cadets involved”.

The Combined Cadet Force is available to students in Year 10 (UF) and above at Christ’s Hospital. Nearly 200 cadets are members of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force sections.

It is one of a wide range of co-curricular activities provided for students at the Horsham-based school.

Report and picture contributed by Christ’s Hospital.