Hunstanton teacher wins DofE accolade

A Hunstanton teacher was recognised for her sterling work with young people when she received a prestigious award at the annual Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) This is Youth event.

Alysha Moat, who teaches PE and Health and Social Care at Smithdon High School, has co-ordinated the school’s DofE programme since 2010, and was named as Runner-Up Torch Bearer of the Year at the ceremony, which took place at the Transport Museum in London.

DofE Gold Award Holder and Youth Ambassador Ms Moat was described as “breaking down pupils’ barriers to participation and cultivating a dedicated group of valued volunteers” and of creating “a lasting legacy of inclusivity, community support, and pride among students and volunteers alike”.

She received her award from the CEO of DofE, Ruth Marvel, OBE, at the event, which was attended by around 300 people, including nominees, award winners, celebrities and other special guests.

“It was an amazing experience,” said Ms Moat. “I felt honoured to have received the award, and felt I received it for the volunteers at Smithdon, who are the people that help it to run.I am proud of what we do at Smithdon.

“I’m emotional, having done my Bronze, Silver and Gold at Downham Market, volunteered with them, went on to be a Young Ambassador at uni, and then completed various challenges, such as the Diamond Challenge, and then became DofE Manager at Smithdon.

“It is a privilege to work with youngsters at Smithdon, giving them opportunities I had that made me who I am, and I am very proud of all the students that take the plunge to do the Award with us.

“Without DofE, I would not be where I am.”

The school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, has a DofE programme that boasts a 94 per cent completion rate – almost double the national average.

“The plan was to have it up and running within five years when I joined Smithdon in 2008 as a newly qualified teacher,” continued Ms Moat. “We did this thanks to lots of funding streams and grants.

“In the last month, we have been successful in receiving a grant from the West Norfolk DofE Charity, grants for places on the Award for alternative curriculums, grants for equipment to help other departments in school deliver sectional parts of the Award, like the Chess Club, PE Department, Maths Club, and Dungeons and Dragons.

“During Covid, we successfully continued the Award, making it stronger, and allowing us to not only deliver Bronze to Year 9, but also Silver to Year 10.

“I take pride and feel honoured to work beside some amazing volunteers, both school and staff, ex staff, and associates from outside school, who come back each year to allow us to deliver the Award – without them it would not happen.”

“I am so proud of the work that Alysha has done with DofE at Smithdon,” added Smithdon’s Headteacher, Amanda Gibbins. “The numbers of students achieving successful completion are a testament to Alysha’s hard work and motivation to ensure students engage fully with the Award. She fully deserves the recognition she has received.”