ARTICLE published in the Burton Observer and Chronicle in July 1964 under the headline: “Notable Year for Horninglow Secondary School”:

IT is now six years since the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme for boys was first introduced into Horninglow Secondary School. Each year has had its crop of successful candidates, but 1964 will be especially remembered as the year in which six boys successfully completed all the sections of the third series of the scheme and so became eligible for the most coveted of the three awards— the Gold Standard.

It is hoped that these boys may be invited to receive their awards at the palace at some later date. Their success in the Award Scheme is the culmination of nearly two years’ careful preparation and training.

In order to qualify for the Duke of Edinburgh’s gold award the boys were required to undertake assignments in four main sections—public service, an expedition, a pursuit and a series of physical fitness tests. For the public service section of the award the boys completed a variety of assignments ranging from taking part in a Civil Defence course, or manning a rescue launch for a local sailing club, to acting as a voluntary helper in a local hospital, or instructing young cadets in first aid and helping to train the younger boys for their tests in the first series of the Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme.

The boys spent some of their Easter holiday training for and successfully completing a 60 mile expedition over some of the bleaker parts of the Peak District National Park.

They were required to spend three nights camping In small groups, their route taking them across the moors of Kinder Scout.