Silver Expedition

Hove Park School is an officially licensed provider of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The expedition is the highlight for many who do the Duke of Edinburgh award. It can be the most challenging and rewarding section. To get a flavour of an expedition watch this video. Flavour of an expedition 1 min


It is designed to be achievable by absolutely everyone, as long as the 20 Conditions are observed, and you observe the Countryside Code (see below x2 ) expeditions are successful.

or these videos made by Hove Park students in previous years.

At Hove Park School our expeditions are run in-house by trained staff qualified in group management in the countryside, navigation and first aid. They volunteer their time.
At Silver, we have an expedition training programme which runs after school for 40 minutes. Details of the course are further below, with more information about planning. [Dates tbc.]


We also have a practice expedition for all students where you further develop your navigation skills, campcraft and cooking, as well as planning and walking a route in unfamiliar territory- usually the Ashdown Forest- setting and breaking camp. This is at beginning of the Summer term time, camping at a designated campsite. [Date tbc]
Our assessed expeditions take place near the beginning of the Autumn term over three days camping over two nights, normally in the New Forest, an area of outstanding natural beauty. [Dates tbc]


Students are in teams of 4-7 and you walk together as a group along a route you have planned on official footpaths, using OS Maps and compass and the navigation skills you have acquired. You have an aim which forms part of the task of the expedition, which must include 7 hours of activity a day, including walking time.


The staff will support you at road crossings and at check points throughout your journey to ensure safety. Staff are present at the campsite at all times, but the aim is to ensure an enjoyable experience for all with the opportunity to demonstrate responsibility and independence. You will be carefully trained in the use of cooking equipment provided by the school. Tents are also provided.


To find out more about preparing, there are details of the kit list [here] which is only a guide, it must be stressed. More details will be sent out.


 Route planning and training take place in after-school sessions from January. A copy of the programme for 2020-21 will be available here:


You can also watch these videos about navigation basics from Ordnance Survey and Glenmore Lodge training centre:


These form part of the after-school training programme.  Basic map-reading skills and navigation will be taught.

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DofE News

Duke of Edinburgh Award Diamond Fund

By Hove Park School • February 18, 2021
Hove Park School is delighted to have been awarded an £800 grant from the Duke of Edinburgh Award Diamond Fund to train staff. This training is essential to the safe running of DofE expeditions. Many teachers are already qualified in many of the skills needed to lead outdoor expeditions and this will support others in training. 'This will ensure we can run expeditions ourselves, with the high levels of safety expected.' Mr Hunting, the DofE Coordinator said, 'It will help the school to become more self-sufficient when it comes to running expeditions. This has always been one of our goals for the school because it means expeditions are more affordable so that everyone at Hove Park can be encouraged and supported to undertake at least the Bronze award'. Hove Park school is about 'Achieving Together' and providing students with the opportunity to develop rounded skills and experience the benefits of outdoor education, and this Diamond Fund Award really helps us to do so!  Jim Roberts Head teacher said ‘The Duke of Edinburgh award is an important part of our Every Child Should strategy in which we have identified 8 themes that we want all children that come to Hove Park to have experienced in their time with us, including spending a night under the stars. Mr Hunting and his team have done an incredible job in developing our Duke of Edinburgh provision and ensuring it is accessible to all students. We are looking forward to a time when we can re-start the planning and get children enjoying the outdoors again.’
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh students

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh

By Hove Park School • July 16, 2019
Thirty nine intrepid year 9 students completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh assessed expedition on the South Downs over two days, camping overnight at Hillside, the scout camp at Small Dole. On Sunday, from the beginning they successfully navigated their way independently in teams from Cissbury Ring, working together and supporting each other to get to their overnight destination. They cooked meals and pitched tent for the night, with stunning views of the South Downs and lovely countryside around. Apart from a few drops of ran at the beginning, the day was perfect for walking, with sunshine breaking out as the day progressed. The next day the teams walked up onto the South Downs ridge, climbing the 105 metre ascent of Edburton Hill with full packs, along to the Dyke, then Saddlescombe, then to finish at Waterhall. Bright Expeditions who organised what was an extremely successful expedition, said all the groups had passed their assessment well, and they were impressed by their organisation, behaviour, teamwork and competence at camp craft and navigation. Thank you to Bright expeditions for their excellent work and to all the staff who helped on the trip and the support staff who helped to make it happen or covered lessons on the second day (Monday).

Duke of Edinburgh update

By Hove Park School • May 24, 2019
Forty-two year 9 students set of on their Duke of Edinburgh practice expedition for their Bronze award this bright Thursday morning! They left in seven groups from the Valley Campus and walked out of the conurbation to join the South Downs way in the sparkling May sunshine. They have journeyed in groups up and down on footpaths to the village of Pyecombe where they are stopping for lunch. They are continuing to Ditchling where they will camp for the night, accompanied by Hove Park Staff and Bright Expeditions, who are training them in micro-navigation in preparation for their Assessed Expedition, in July.