A group of four students from Portfield School in Haverfordwest have made history by becoming the first wheelchair users in Pembrokeshire to earn the Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award — the most demanding level of the celebrated youth development programme.
The students, who have a range of mobility needs and include wheelchair users as well as young people who walk with the support of sticks, completed the full Award after an extraordinary four-year journey through the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels of the programme.
The group completed their Gold qualifying expedition in Carmarthenshire, staying at Caban in Pendine — a facility chosen specifically because it could meet their access requirements. The achievement demanded the same determination, resilience and teamwork expected of any Gold candidate, with no shortcuts to the challenge.
Four Years in the Making
Portfield is a special school catering for pupils with complex additional learning needs. That four young people from such a setting have now reached the pinnacle of the DofE programme marks a significant moment not just for the school but for inclusive education across the county.
DofE Leader at Portfield School, Claire Sommerville, said she was "incredibly proud" of what the group had achieved, praising their determination and willingness to push themselves at every stage over the four years.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award programme is open to young people aged 14 to 25 and involves volunteering, developing a physical skill, learning a new skill, and completing an expedition. At Gold level, participants must also undertake a residential project away from home.
The achievement comes as the programme marks its 70th anniversary year, with the Port of Milford Haven among local organisations backing DofE activity across nine Pembrokeshire schools. Anyone interested in finding out more about the DofE programme in Pembrokeshire can visit the council's dedicated page at pembrokeshire.gov.uk/duke-of-edinburgh.
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