Stamford College Student Achieves Prestigious Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Stamford College student Cordelia Barnes-Brown has achieved her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE),  marking the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and adventure. 

Cordelia completed her residential section in Kefalonia, Greece, where she supported a local turtle refuge, helping to protect and care for endangered sea turtles. For her expedition, she trekked 18 miles per day across the Surrey countryside, showcasing determination, teamwork and resilience.

Reflecting on her journey, Cordelia said, “I’ve learnt to push myself and to not give up. DofE is such a good experience, and I’d recommend it to anyone!”

Having completed her Bronze and Silver DofE Awards at her secondary school in Market Deeping, Cordelia went on to study Level 2 and Level 3 Uniformed Public Services at Stamford College, where she successfully completed her Gold Award.

At Stamford College, students are encouraged and supported to take part in enrichment opportunities such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which complement their academic studies and personal development. The College’s dedicated staff help students balance their coursework with DofE activities, offering guidance, encouragement and opportunities to gain valuable life skills through teamwork, leadership and community engagement.

Cordelia will be attending a special celebration at Buckingham Palace in the coming months, where she’ll be formally presented with her Gold Award, a fitting recognition of her remarkable achievements and commitment to personal growth.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award encourages young people to build confidence, resilience, and leadership through real-world challenges, qualities that Cordelia has demonstrated in abundance.

Congratulations Cordelia!