Life at Hutchesons’

From the Rector Request a Prospectus Academic
Success Getting to Hutchesons’

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has long played a major role in the lives of many pupils at Hutchesons'.

The Award focuses on individual challenge and team cooperation, presenting to young people a balanced, non-competitive programme of voluntary activities which encourage personal discovery and growth, self-reliance, perseverance, team responsibility and service to the community. The Award also introduces pupils to a variety of outdoor sports in which they are trained to the point where a very high degree of independence from adult leadership or supervision is possible. Upon successful completion of four training weekends and a practice expedition, pupils undertake a three- or four-day assessed expedition in wild country on their own.

Pupils at Hutchesons’ participate in both Silver and Gold Awards. We currently receive around 200 new applications each year, with 140 pupils enrolling for the Silver Award during S3, and 60 senior pupils enrolling for the Gold Award towards the end of S5. Expedition training takes place throughout the Scottish Highlands, on foot, by kayak and open canoe and by mountain bike, from a centre base at Craigower Lodge, Newtonmore, in Inverness-shire.

Sailing now an Option for Hutchesons' Pupils

In collaboration with the Ocean Youth Trust, Hutchesons' is also offering a sailing option for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, at both Silver and Gold level. Pupils have theory classes at school and sail on the Youth Trust's 72-foot tall ships, Alba Explorer and Alba Venturer.

Geography teacher Mr B Williamson was honoured in 2006 for more than 15 years' involvement with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award at Hutchesons' and was instrumental in the School becoming a DoE operating authority in 2008.