There is clearly a concern that the planned silver practice expedition planned for 29-31 May will impact on examination performance. I set the programme in January to try and give volunteer leaders as much notice as possible so they can book time off from work and also to have the best chance of getting the preferred venues. If I had waited until after the exam programme was published before setting the expedition training programme I would have run the risk of not being able to achieve either objective.
The practice expedition does finish at 11am on the Sunday but if parents and young people feel that doesn't give sufficient recovery time before the exams on Monday another option is to cancel the May practice, change the planned final venture in July to a practice venture and try and set up a new final venture during the October half term. Any unrecoverable costs from the cancelled venture will have to be included in the new practice and final ventures but such costs should not exceed £10 per person.
Would people please let me know what you think of the proposals and I will do my best to try and make it work. Please send your responses by email or through the Duke of Edinburgh forum board on the school website.
Mr B Hoal