Duke of Edinburgh Scheme

Denbigh School is a licensing centre for the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, and we are committed to support every student who wishes to take part in this popular national award scheme. The programme, which has been around for 60 years, is still as relevant to young people today as it has always been. Whilst undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, young people are set a series of personal challenges aimed at making them more confident and resilient as individuals and develop their team working and leadership skills, all vital skills for their future.

Participation in the programme is highly valued by employers and universities. Students can work towards their Bronze, Silver and Gold levels throughout their time at Denbigh School and we run an extensive programme of trips every year.  We were recognised for our commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh scheme as part of the Scheme’s Diamond Anniversary Celebrations.   

Students can start their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award in Year 9 and then progress onto their Silver Award in Year 10.  Students have to be 16 to start the Gold Award and therefore this is offered as part of our extensive Sixth Form enrichment programme. Student success through the scheme is recognised at assemblies and our annual Celebration of Success Evening.

Find out more about the Scheme on The Duke of Edinburgh Awards website.

World Challenge

We offer our Sixth Form students the opportunity to take part in a World Challenge expedition during their time with at Denbigh School. Previous World Challenge expeditions have visited Malaysia, India, Peru, Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstyan, Mongolia and China. In Summer 2023, our students visited Ecuador where they trekked in Andes Mountains and worked on a Marine Conservation Project monitoring and rehabilitating sea turtles.

World Challenge is an established and well-respected schools expedition company whose aim is to take students out of their comfort zones and expand their minds outside the classroom. Their expeditions are all planned with the students’ personal development and safety in mind and the participants are fully involved in planning and fundraising their trip of a lifetime. The life skills they learn on these expeditions aid personal growth and help secure university places and impress future employers.

Find out more on the World Challenge website.

Ecuador, Summer 2023 Photo Gallery

Enrichment Days

Our Enrichment Day Programme allows students to come off timetable for three days over the year to look beyond the curriculum, learn new life skills, plan for their future and experience local and national visitor attractions. 

Educational Trips & Visits

Throughout the school year, students have the opportunity to take part in a range of educational trips and visits. These include cultural trips abroad, theatre performances to support progress in both English and Drama and Geography/Science field trip visits, to name but a few. Students also take part in careers related trips to UK universities, apprenticeships fairs and companies such as the MINI Plant in Oxford. Students can participate in the Engineering Development Scheme (EDT) to give them an insight into STEM careers. Highlights from last year’s Educational Visits Programme were a Year 8 trip to Paris, a Sixth Form visit to CERN in Switzerland, a Sixth Form Business & Finance trip to Silicon Valley in San Francisco and a Year 10 cultural trip to Spain and France.

The school is insured for school trips through the Government’s Risk Protection Arrangement. Details of the coverage provided on school trips is set out in the document below.