Dozens of children have been taking part in the Mini Duke and Junior Duke Awards, which are designed to help primary-aged pupils to realise their abilities and discover new talents and passions.

Activities and tasks children at Gothic Mede have completed over the past few months have included how to use kitchen appliances safely, cooking and sewing. They had to then chart their progress by logging everything they had learned in their own personal journals.

To celebrate ‘graduating’ at the end of their journey, the school staged a special awards assembly to present bronze, silver and gold certificates to the successful pupils.

Special certificates of merit were also given to three pupils – Dylan Kourtellis, Amber Harrison and Evren Binicioglu – for being judged to have the most outstanding journals.

There was also hot chocolate and cake all round as an extra-special treat!

Lisa Glindon, who has helped to co-ordinate the scheme at Gothic Mede, said: “It’s been wonderful to see our first cohort of Mini Duke and Junior Duke pupils complete their awards, and so rewarding to see the difference it’s made to so many of them.”

Principal Tom Clarke said: “I remember doing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award when I was younger and it’s great that something like that is available for the children at Gothic Mede.

“I think that independence, responsibility and life skills are so important for all children to develop.” 

Soleil, a pupil in Birch class, said that it was a great way to learn some basic life skills and being in the kitchen was her favourite part. 

Pictures: Top, Principal Tom Clarke with pupils (from left) Amber Harrison, Dylan Kourtellis and Evren Binicioglu, who received special certificates of merit. Also pictured are the Gothic Mede pupils who collected their gold, silver or bronze Mini Duke and Junior Duke Awards.