Duke of Edinburgh Award Driving Challenge
Warwickshire County Council’s extended services team and the cluster co-ordinator for the Kineton area have come together to give school children in the area the chance to complete a driving proficiency test.
As part of the skills section for the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award a group of year 10 students from Kineton High School have successfully completed the Heritage Motor Centre’s pre-drivers proficiency test.
The driving course is available to all 15 to 17 year olds as part of Heritage Motor Centres Stop Start programme. The aim of the programme is to teach young people to start, stop and steer a vehicle and gain confidence behind the wheel. Teenagers drive a dual controlled Freelander on private land under supervision.
The driving project was made possible by a successful bid by the students to the Youth Opportunity Fund – A DSCF initiative operated through the county council.
The Duke of Edinburgh programme has been reintroduced at Kineton High School this year; and is being run in partnership between school staff, the Kineton cluster school sports coordinator and Jo Rolls, extended services co-ordinator for the Kineton cluster.
Students have also now completed the expedition section of the programme which is a huge achievement. Many students reported the expedition being the ‘hardest thing they have ever done’.
The students have had great fun as well as learning essential car and road skills. Jan Farley of the Heritage Motor centre said: “The students listened, and learnt a lot – they were a joy to teach’.
Cllr Heather Timms, portfolio holder for Children, Young People and Families said: “Research has shown that the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is recognised by employers as a major benefit in a candidate, in many cases having as much merit as a degree.
“The county’s extended services team is laying excellent foundations for the future of these children by making the award available to them.”
The programme will continue to be offered to year 10 students at Kineton High School. For further details of out of hours activities available to all the family go to http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/extended services .