The dedication of students at a Billericay secondary school to push their limits, serve their community, and master new skills has earned them prestigious national recognition.
Elite Achievement in Youth Development
Pupils at Mayflower High School have joined an exclusive group, being among just 3% of young people across the country to successfully complete the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award. The programme, now commonly known as the DofE, is designed to build resilience and self-belief in participants through a series of personal challenges.
To attain the highest level of the award, participants must demonstrate sustained commitment. Young people aged 17 and over dedicate themselves to two sections of the award for a full year, and one section for 18 months. The challenges encompass volunteering in the community, improving physical fitness, learning new practical skills, and planning and executing an expedition.
Political Recognition for Local Success
In celebration of this remarkable accomplishment, Richard Holden, the Member of Parliament for Basildon and Billericay, paid a special visit to the school. He met with students to hear firsthand about their experiences and the positive impact the award scheme has had on their development.
Anne Walter, the DofE leader at Mayflower High School, explained the reason for the visit. "We were selected for the visit from Richard Holden MP because of our success with DofE and the high completion rate our students have," she said. "Ten students spoke with our visitor about the skills they had learned and the memories they have made as part of the DofE."
Skills, Service and Lasting Memories
During the meeting, the MP showed particular interest in the volunteering element of the award. Students shared their experiences contributing to local organisations, including helping at parkrun events, Billericay Football Club, and the school's eco club.
"Our students were articulate and presented themselves exceptionally well, serving as excellent ambassadors for both the school and the DofE," added Ms Walter. "It was a real morale boost for our participants to see their efforts recognised at such a high level. The visit underscored the importance of youth development and civic engagement."
The MP engaged with students from Years 10, 12, and 13 who are participating across all three award levels—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—and viewed a video documenting one of their demanding expeditions.
Year 10 student Skye Greenan encapsulated the sentiment of many participants, stating: "Taking part in DofE was one of the best decisions I have made, as the skills I developed and the memories I made will stay with me for life." This achievement at Mayflower High School highlights the powerful role of structured extracurricular programmes in shaping confident, capable, and community-minded young adults.
