Portland Academy students show their resilience through the Duke of Edinburgh awards
Students at Portland Academy, in Sunderland, celebrated as they completed their Duke of Edinburgh awards. Portland Academy is a designated provision for learners aged 11-19 who have severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties. The school is part of the Ascent Academies Trust.
Six Form celebration
The afternoon ceremony celebrated the achievements of sixth form students achieving their Bronze or Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award in the previous school year. Students gathered with friends, family and staff to discuss memories from the award, showcasing their resilience before receiving their certificates.
Holding high expectations for themselves
Richard Hyslop, the Teacher at Portland responsible for organising the event, commented:
“On Wednesday 25th January at Portland Academy we held our first annual DofE Awards Ceremony for young people who had achieved an award on the programme. It was a lovely afternoon, having an opportunity to share with parents/carers and members of the community all the hard work which learners had to endure to achieve their award. As a staff team, we shared our favourite memories from supporting these young people to achieve their awards. We invited young people to recall and share their own favourite memories and moments that stand out to them. Learners could recognise all the skills they had learnt and achieved; such as resilience, working as part of a team, being independent and holding high expectations for themselves.
At Portland Academy we have worked really hard over the past several years to develop best practice within DofE as an award programme for young people with SEND. Our aims are to develop our young people into well rounded individuals, who are resilient and able to use functional life skills which prepare them for adult life and employment. Other sixth form students who are starting their DofE journey also made a substantial contribution to the awards afternoon, working within their catering group to plan the catering for the entire event. These young people additionally supported by serving the afternoon tea to our visitors and DofE participants. We also received a lovely message from professional mountaineer, Paul Pritchard wishing our young people every success for the future and recognising their hard work in achieving these awards”.
Pauline Aitchison, Deputy Director of Schools North East and Network Lead for the National Network of Special Schools added:
“On Wednesday I attended Portland’s Duke of Edinburgh award ceremony. It was a wonderful and inspiring afternoon that highlighted the achievements of their students. I’d like to thank Portland for their hard work in supporting their students and wish their newly awarded students a massive congratulations! The afternoon was full of smiles and joy and a testament to the school’s young people.”
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