Finborough School Celebrates Over 1,200 Hours of Volunteering Through Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Programme

Finborough School is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its pupils participating in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) scheme, with a remarkable 1,248 hours of volunteering recorded between 1st April 2024 and 31st March 2025. This incredible contribution equates to an estimated social value of £7,986, as recognised by the DofE organisation.

Volunteering is one of the four key pillars of the DofE Award, alongside Skill, Physical, and Expedition. At Finborough, pupils have embraced the opportunity to give back to their communities in meaningful and diverse ways.

Many pupils chose to volunteer within the school itself, supporting younger pupils with reading and helping to maintain the school environment through litter picking initiatives. Others extended their efforts into the wider community:

• Emma Smith (Year 13, Gold Award) took on a leadership role by volunteering with the Bronze DofE programme, including training as an official DofE Young Leader – a testament to her commitment and initiative.
• Ethan Smyth (Year 11, Silver Award) contributed his time at his local cricket club, where he not only supported club activities but also manned the post-match BBQ, bringing community spirit to life.
• Charlotte Garner (Year 11, Silver Award) volunteered at Bury St Edmunds Hockey Club, assisting with training sessions for younger teams and helping to nurture the next generation of athletes.

As the school looks ahead to another year of DofE success, we celebrate the spirit of service and leadership that our students demonstrate every day.