GOING FOR GOLD: DofE EXPLORERS TAKE ON PEAK DISTRICT CHALLENGE
08.07.2026Students at HNC are able to choose to sign up for DofE Gold as an enrichment opportunity, investing in their skills and personal development while developing their resilience and testing their limits. The DofE scheme is a nationally recognised and well-regarded experience that universities and employers alike appreciate due to the critical thinking and resilience that taking part develops in participants.
Over 30 HNC students joined an expedition to the Peak District, taking on over 40 miles of open moorland, valleys as well as sites of local and national historical and social significance.
HNC’s DofE cohort is one of our largest ever, meaning that the group split into two, so there were dual expeditions occurring from opposite ends of the Hope Valley. The group enjoyed mostly fantastic weather, with just one stormy night leading to leaking tents to contend with! During their expedition the groups undertook their planned routes to the test, successfully navigating the local area, and developing their camping and camping skills. A gallery of images can be found below.
Jay Bolt, who is part of the staff team for DofE Gold says: “Taking part in the DofE Gold award is an incredible experience for students, enabling them to enjoy a number of experiences that will help them to take their next steps with confidence, and develop their resilience, confidence and life skills. Their expeditions put all of these skills to the test, and I am very proud of how students took on the challenge with a positive attitude, and upheld our College values in all of their behaviours – we had more than one conversation with local residents about how their excellent behaviour was a real credit to HNC!”
In Year 10 and interested in learning more about DofE Gold? Join our Open Event this Thursday 9 July 5.30 – 8.30pm (last entry 8pm) to discover more about how DofE Gold will see you becoming your best self!
New Hey Road, Huddersfield, HD3 4GL
