At the end of last month, thirteen BGS alumnae and Upper Sixth students had the privilege of attending a special reception at Buckingham Palace to mark the 70th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE).

The Gold Award represents the highest level within the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme and requires a significant commitment to personal development, volunteering, physical activity and expedition. Achieving this honour is a testament to the perseverance, resilience and dedication of each individual.

Held in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, the celebration formed part of the DofE’s 70th anniversary year, recognising the impact the programme has had on generations of young people across the UK. The event was hosted by HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, adding to the sense of occasion for all those attending.

Each Gold Award holder is invited to celebrate their success at these exclusive events, sharing the moment with a special guest in recognition of their journey and achievements.

The event was made particularly meaningful as our DofE Manager, Dr Howe, was able to celebrate and reconnect with a number of Upper Sixth and former students. She said: “It was a real privilege to be present and share in the celebrations of our Gold Award students and their families. To witness their achievements recognised at Buckingham Palace was incredibly special, and it was wonderful to reconnect with so many of them and reflect on the journey each has taken to reach this point.”

Isla Wallwork (BGS 2025), who is currently studying Psychology at the University of Sheffield, reflected: “At Buckingham Palace for my Gold DofE award celebration, I got to experience a truly memorable occasion surrounded by an incredible atmosphere and sense of achievement. It was a proud day that marked the effort and commitment it took to reach my Gold Award, and I feel very lucky to have attended it.”

A huge congratulations to all our Gold Award recipients:

2025 Alumnae - Tilly Crankshaw and Isla Wallwork.

Upper Sixth - Amelia Bayly, Jyoti Balaji, Charlotte Brakenbury, Eva Blake, Holly Blewitt, Esmée Challacombe, Emily Feiger, Asha Kirkpatrick, Mitali Misra, Fleur Mount and Kate Woodward.

The school community is incredibly proud of all they have achieved and looks forward to seeing what they go on to accomplish next.