School trip of a lifetime

The dedicated 14-16 year-olds were rewarded for extensive fundraising and community work with two weeks in the Namibian wilderness, learning about desert life and teaching children first aid skills.

And the students - from Frederick Gent, Heritage High, Shirebrook Academy, Stubbin Wood and Bolsover and Tibshelf Community Schools - topped it off by completing a wild trek across the Namib Desert.

Clare Talati, director of Derbyshire Education Business Partnership (DEBP), said: “The programme has been so much more than just the expedition though. It has been a 15-month project starting with a rigorous recruitment process and then a huge fundraising task.

“They have also had to exhibit commitment, adhere to a code of conduct and fulfil mandatory training to ensure they maintained their place.”

After completing application forms and having interviews, five students from each school were selected. Each school team was then tasked with raising £9,000 as its contribution towards the project.

A DEBP spokesman said the students and their families had worked exceptionally hard, running stalls and competitions at local events, presenting to different groups and forums to secure contributions and setting up community events.

Ms Talati added: “The students have shown a real dedication and commitment and all thoroughly deserved their places on the expedition.”