A teacher from North Cambridge Academy joined thousands of guests at Buckingham Palace last week as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) marked its 70th anniversary with a series of celebrations.
Connor Campbell, a PE teacher who also manages the DofE programme at North Cambridge Academy, was invited to the Palace on Friday 22nd May to witness the culmination of a milestone week.
The Duke of Edinburgh hosted Gold Award celebrations across two days, welcoming over 9,000 young people to the Palace grounds. The garden was transformed into a festival-style space featuring bunting, lawn games, and activities, where guests heard from inspirational public figures, including celebrity DofE Award holders and supporters.
Mr. Campbell, who recently took on leadership of the school’s DofE programme and completed the Bronze Award as a student, said the invitation was a proud moment for the school and a reflection of the award’s long-standing impact on young people in the city and beyond. The programme has recently been successfully relaunched at the school, with over 40 young people currently undertaking their Bronze Award.
Founded in 1956 by HRH Prince Philip, the DofE was created to help young people develop confidence, resilience, and practical life skills. Over the past seven decades, more than 2.5 million young people in the UK have achieved a Bronze Award, nearly 900,000 have earned Silver, and over 350,000 have reached Gold. Today, the scheme reaches more than a million young people worldwide each year.
The 70th-anniversary events highlighted how the programme has evolved over time while maintaining its core focus on personal challenge and service, helping young people grow in confidence, develop real-world skills, and strengthen their connection to their communities.
As a DofE leader at North Cambridge Academy (part of Meridian Trust), Mr. Campbell has been helping students take on challenges ranging from volunteering with local charities to completing expeditions in the wider region.
Mr Campbell said: “It was an incredibly special day and a real privilege to be there. The Palace gardens had such a brilliant atmosphere, and it was amazing to see thousands of young people being recognised for their hard work and determination. It really brought home what the DofE is all about.”
Jane Driver, Principal of North Cambridge Academy, added: “We are so proud of Connor for this recognition. He has been a wonderful ambassador for the award, inspiring our students to step outside their comfort zones, serve their community, and discover talents they didn’t know they had – all skills that will stay with them long after they leave school.”
It’s fantastic to see the continued impact of DofE across Meridian Trust, with Stratton Upper School represented by Mr Chase, Swavesey Village College represented by Mr Allen (pictured below) and Ely College, represented by Mr Waters (also pictured) – all of whom received similar invitations to attend.
