The Minister for Education and Children has commented on the important life skills young people gain by participating in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Tim Crookall MHK said: ‘The award is unique in the range of skills it offers and how it helps young people prepare for the challenges of adulthood.

‘Our ethos in education is to encourage young people to be resourceful, resilient and reflective and develop relationships and remembering skills in readiness for later life.

‘The award complements the Department of Education and Children (DEC’s) 6Rs curriculum perfectly in that it encourages young people aged 14 to 25 to set themselves physical and mental challenges, give back to the community and learn more about themselves in the process.’

Minister Crookall was speaking as he attended today’s presentation, at Government House, to 14 students who have attained the highest level of the award.

His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Adam Wood, presented gold award badges to Tom Anderson – Queen Elizabeth II High School (QEII); Johanna Bangero – Independent; Millie Barrow – QEII; Agata Bojanowska – St Ninian’s High School (SNHS); Ryan Craig – SNHS; Edward Dunn – Ramsey Grammar School; Robin Gledhill – Castle Rushen High School (CRHS); Clare Harris – CRHS; Jake Hewins – The Foundry; Caitlin Maddrell – The Foundry; Daniel Phair – SNHS; Sarah Reeday – Adventurous Experiences; Joshua Riordan – The Foundry; Stephanie Ward – The Foundry.

The Youth Service – part of the DEC – has a licence to offer the award and more than 800 young people are taking it via 16 registered award units. These include all five DEC secondary schools and the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education.

In the past year, more than 340 young people have entered onto the award: 188 at bronze level, 86 silver and 53 gold. More than 160 have completed the award: 109 at bronze level and 46 at silver as well as today’s recipients.

Participants commit to complete activities in volunteering, physical and skill sections for between three and 18 months depending on which level of the award they are striving for.

They also complete an expedition involving physical effort, which can be walking, cycling, canoeing/kayaking, sailing or horse-riding.

At gold level, the expedition takes place off-Island and local students visit such locations such as the Lake District, Snowdonia, the Mountains of Mourne, the Yorkshire Dales, the Isle of Skye and Vancouver Island.

Gold participants must also take part in four-night residential stay.

For more information on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, visit www.gov.im and click on ‘D’ on the menu.

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