Very Special Bronze Awards: When I Dance...

Every Duke of Edinburgh Award is a story of achievement for every young person who does it. For some young people, their DofE is even more of an achievement taking their background in to account. We have had some wonderful presentations of DofE Awards all over Edinburgh City this year, but I want to single out Pilrig Park School for a special mention.

Pilrig Park School is a special school providing education for 80 secondary age pupils with learning difficulties and additional support needs. Pupils come from all over the city and in to West Lothian. The school has been commended by HMIe in the past for the wide curriculum on offer and the caring environment it provides, all working towards enhancing the confidence of the pupils. The Theatre Arts Programme at the school, run in partnership this year with Caged Beastie, active arts company (www.cagedbeastie.com), was given a special mention:

"The theatre arts programme strongly contributes to developing pupil's confidence and skills"

Quality Development School Review, June 2007

This year 14 young people from the school achieved their Bronze DofE Award. It was fantastic to hear about the transformation experience that camping out in particular proved to be for the young people. We are so proud here at FOTA E&L (Friends of the Award Edinburgh and the Lothians) to have been able to give this group Expedition co-ordination support and to have provided all the kit the group needed from our kit store.

Martin Hutchison, City of Edinburgh DofE unit manager attended a number of DofE Award presentations across the city in June:

"Over the past couple of weeks I have had the pleasure to attend a number of D of E Award presentations at a number of schools across the city. These included Panmure St Ann's [school for pupils from S2 upwards with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties], along with Braidburn and Pilrig Park Special Schools for young people with additional support needs. Young people gave presentations to parents and staff about their experiences and spoke about the benefits of being involved in the DofE Award. Pupils from Pilrig Park talked about their skills activities, one of them said:

"Drama is fun because we do lots of different plays! I used to be nervous but now I am much better at speaking out in front of people" His teacher added " This young man has been a prominent member of the drama club - taking an active part in several productions. He has been a regular attendee of the club and has enjoyed various excercises, role playing and improvisation. He has improved his ability to throw his voice and to speak to a large audience".

Talking about Dance another Pilrig Park pupil told us that his Personal Goal was 'To learn to dance well enough to be in the school show' Head Teacher Ellen Muir said "He worked so hard throughout this course. His performance improved so much he played the lead role at the Festival Theatre in June 2010." Summing up perfectly how he felt the pupil added "I enjoyed learning to dance. When I dance I feel confident and happy!!"

"From my own point of view it was an absolute pleasure and privilege to be invited along to listen to all of these pupils experiences of being involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and left me feeling quite inspired by their presentations."
Martin Hutchison,The Duke of Edinburgh Award Manager, City of Edinburgh Council

The dedication of the school staff in volunteering their time to make this all possible is truly inspirational. Keep up the great work DofE at Pilrig Park!

_{Photos courtesy of Caged Beastie and City of Edinburgh Council.}