Duke of Edinburgh's Award
The DofE was designed to challenge young people between the ages of 14 - 24 to attain standards of achievement and endeavour in a wide variety of active interests – to serve their communities, experience adventure and to develop and learn outside the classroom.
Here at DofE HDS we believe in young people, in their innate value and infinite potential. We help young people build life-long belief in themselves, supporting them to take on their own challenges, follow their passions, and discover talents they never knew they had.
Year 9 and Year 10 DofE Enrolling now!
We are running Year 9 Bronze and Year 10 Silver awards this year.
Documents
| Duke of Edinburgh's Award | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| Duke of Edinburgh's Award - Parent Information Booklet | 21st Sep 2023 | Download |
| HDS Expedition Guide | 21st Jan 2025 | Download |
Connect with us
Humphry Davy School
18 Jul 2025
Wow! What a busy half term we have had! Our latest newsletter is now available to view on our website. Have a great summer everyone!
www.humphry-davy.cornwall.sch.uk/2332/newsletters
Humphry Davy School
18 Jul 2025
Sports Day this year was another huge success! The weather was good and the atmosphere created by both students and staff made the day truly memorable.
We had lots of different activities running in the morning, from football and rounders, to high jump and shot put; there really was something for everyone. The running races commenced in the afternoon and, with the whole school congregating on the field to cheer on the representatives from their school house, it was wonderful to see such a high level of participation and enthusiasm! With students cheering each other on and celebrating each other’s achievements, we had a super day!
A big ‘well done’ to everyone who took part. Your dedication, sportsmanship, and effort was evident in every event and you should be proud of all your efforts.
Photos on our website.
Humphry Davy School
15 Jul 2025
Under a flawless summer sky, Year 11 students celebrated the end of an era with their Leavers Ball at the stunning Tregenna Castle in St Ives.
With the sun shining and the beautiful coastline providing a breathtaking backdrop, the evening began in style as students made their grand entrances — some arriving in classic vintage cars, some with a fleet of motorbikes to escort them in, and even a tractor for a touch of humour and personality. The excitement was unmistakable as friends and families gathered to cheer on each arrival.
Dressed to impress, students lit up the grounds of Tregenna with elegance and enthusiasm. The castle’s gardens provided the perfect setting for photos, laughter, and heartfelt reminiscing.
Inside, the students were greeted with beautifully decorated tables, before the first of three courses started rolling out. A well-deserved way to celebrate years of hard work and dedication and to mark the end of their exams.
It was a magical evening filled with pride, memories, and hope for the future — the perfect send-off for an exceptional group of students.
More photos can be found on our website!
Humphry Davy School
11 Jul 2025
Students enjoyed an unforgettable experience on Day 7 of Wimbledon. With an early start and a long drive to London, excitement was high as the group arrived at the iconic tennis tournament.
Students had the chance to watch world-class tennis on Court 2, enjoying a mix of Gentlemen’s Singles, Ladies' Singles, and Mixed Doubles matches. Even a brief spell of rain and a dramatic thunderstorm couldn’t dampen the group’s enthusiasm.
The visit included time on the famous Henman Hill, where students soaked up the atmosphere while watching matches from Centre Court and Court 1 on the big screen. There were also plenty of interactive activities around the grounds to explore, adding to the memorable experience.
To top it all off, the group stayed overnight near Hyde Park, rounding off a fantastic sporting adventure in the heart of London.
Humphry Davy School
9 Jul 2025
How was Mazey Day over a week ago already?! We loved this years theme and had great fun creating our beautiful Sea Dragon. Here's a little recap of all the fun we had to brighten up this grey Wednesday morning.
Golowan Festival Official Page
Humphry Davy School
8 Jul 2025
The HDS Music Scholars Tour was a big one this year! Nine primary schools in three days. Not only were the music scholars able to share their music, but they also learned a little of what it is like to be in a touring band. Task master Mr Bosworth had the students well drilled. By the end of the tour a full set up only took about 15 minutes to complete!
What was most impressive and lovely about each visit was the joy on all the children's faces. So much excitement for music with some wonderful collaborative performances as well. The finale of 'Unwritten' performed at each school had students and staff up on their feet dancing, clapping and singing along. This was a tour that will be remembered for years to come by all involved.
Humphry Davy School
7 Jul 2025
The HDS Kit Car Club had a taste of success this term when they competed in their first race since the club restarted this year.
Students have been working tirelessly after school to build an electric powered kit car to compete in the National Greenpower UK race series. The car was only completed the night before the race in the finest traditions of competitive motor sport!
A team of eight attended the race at Predannack Airfield, five drivers and a well drilled pit crew, to compete against schools from across the country. Many of the teams racing were veterans of many races, with us truly being the 'rookies'. This didn't faze our students though. They worked well as a team, and their hard work and preparation ensured the car completed practice in both races with no breakdowns. As some other cars fell by the wayside, our car (“The Roadrunner”) kept running, ending race one in a highly respectable eighteenth of twenty six teams. In race two we finished twentieth.
A creditable first year back racing and a great foundation for next year when we hope to enter more races and even enter a second car! All the students thoroughly enjoyed their day and were justifiably proud of their efforts over the year. Well done everyone!
Kit Car Club is open to everyone in school and meets every Thursday, 3:05pm.
Humphry Davy School
4 Jul 2025
For the Year 10 mock practical exams last week, students were given the task of making two dishes. These consisted of chicken goujons, chips and salad with mayonnaise made from scratch and a reduced sugar mini Gateau. How delicious do they look? If you weren’t hungry you certainly will be now!
Humphry Davy School
3 Jul 2025
Last Friday, four Year 10 students took part in a science Olympiad at Nexus. The team had to complete three challenges through the day (engineering, practical and theory) and compete against teams from schools across Cornwall. The students performed brilliantly, coming 2nd in the engineering challenge. Overall, the team came 6th and did HDS proud with their outstanding behaviour and attitude. Well done.
Humphry Davy School
3 Jul 2025
The annual Cornwall Schools Mining Games brought together students from across the county to celebrate Cornwall’s rich mining heritage and ignite interest in the region’s engineering future. This year, 14 teams of enthusiastic Year 8 students participated in the event, with Humphry Davy School proudly represented.
Held in the spirit of tradition and innovation, the event gave students the opportunity to step into the boots of historic Cornish miners whilst engaging with modern engineering practices. The young competitors took part in a series of challenging and educational disciplines, including surveying, mineral separation, hand steeling, and sawing. These hands-on activities offered a unique blend of historical techniques and practical STEM skills.
Our Year 8 demonstrated teamwork, skill, and determination throughout the competition. Well done!
Humphry Davy School
2 Jul 2025
We have just been awarded our RHS Level 1 Gardening Award for our Allotment! Well done to everyone who has been involved, a well deserved achievement for our green fingered students!
Humphry Davy School
2 Jul 2025
Huge congratulations to student Riley, who has undergone the incredible task of running 100k (62miles) during the month of June - raising money for Children’s Hospice Southwest.
Bit by bit, Riley has been clocking up the miles, tracking his progress using Strava and sharing his progress on a Facebook fundraising page. Completing his challenge on the 30th June Riley has smashed his fundraising total of £250.
Well done Riley on this fantastic achievement, you should be really proud! If you would like to make a donation please visit Riley’s fundraising page here:
https://www.facebook.com/donate/686278194315484/?fundraiser_source=external_ur
Humphry Davy School
1 Jul 2025
Mazey Day brought colour, creativity and community spirit to the streets of Penzance again this year – and HDS was right at the heart of it all!
Our stunning contribution to the Golowan Festival parade was a spectacular Sea Dragon, lovingly created by students and staff. Towering above the crowds and shimmering in the summer sun, our dragon was a real show-stopper and one of the largest pieces in the procession – it certainly turned heads as it made its way through the town.
Leading the way were our talented music students, performing a powerful piece from the film ‘How to Train Your Dragon’. Also heading up our school’s display were the amazing HDS Dance Company who beautifully twirled their way down the streets. Their performance really brought our creature to life and set a magical tone for the day.
The music department also took to the stage at our very own performance space, set up beside the Humphry Davy statue at the heart of Penzance. With the sun trying to make an appearance and the town buzzing, it was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the energy and talent of our students, who put on a confident performance for all those watching - drawing quite the crowd!
It was a day full of creativity, music, and community pride – one we won’t forget any time soon! Well done to all the organisers, performers, and parade participants - it wouldn’t be Mazey without all of you!
Here’s to next year!
@golowan_festival
Golowan Festival Official Page
Humphry Davy School
1 Jul 2025
Photos from Mike Newman Photographer's post
Humphry Davy School
28 Jun 2025
Did you see us this morning?! Mazey Day is a highlight in the HDS calendar and we have really enjoyed creating our Sea Dragon in response to this years theme ‘On the crest of a wave’. Our students and have staff really got stuck in and had so much fun getting creative. Here’s a short video of our parade structure coming to life.
If you missed us, don’t worry! We are in the 3pm parade too! See you then!
Humphry Davy School
27 Jun 2025
We are delighted to provide a 'Feel Good Fair' at HDS next Friday (4th July).
The fair will run all day for students. Parents/carers are welcome to pop along after school from 3:05pm to 4:00pm.
The fair will be in our Enys Centre, which is a dedicated space for health and wellbeing and normally hosts a variety of visiting professionals on a daily basis. This is also where our new outdoor gym is situated!
This event is all about promoting health and wellbeing – both physical and mental – and gives students and families the chance to meet a range of professionals who support positive health choices and services in our community.
Humphry Davy School
26 Jun 2025
Don't miss out! Secure your place on our Summer Activities programme today!
www.playwaze.com/humphry-davy-school/4r399obbm919xd/discover-result?item=PhysicalEventSeries%2F115908-B&type=Activities&communityids=4r399obbm919xd&fromCommunity=True
Humphry Davy School
26 Jun 2025
Good luck to all students taking part in the Greenpower Race today! Our Kit Car team have been busy working on their car all year and are finally ready for the big race. To watch all your hard work out there on track will certainly be a proud moment indeed - it is sure to be a very exciting day for everyone! We look forward to hearing all about it.
Humphry Davy School
25 Jun 2025
At HDS we believe that a students’ right to choose what they read is crucial for encouraging a love of reading, and so, our students play a key part in selecting what books we purchase for the library. On a couple of afternoons last week, our Reading Ambassadors walked down to our fantastic local bookshop, ‘The Edge of the World’, where each of them could choose a book to refresh our library stock.
The staff at Edge of the World were, as usual, extremely helpful and advised our students where to find the latest thriller or gothic romance, and the students all had plenty of time to browse their amazing selection of books.
Our students came away with a wide range of reading material and everyone is very excited to get stuck in. Well done to the Reading Ambassadors for choosing such an interesting and varied selection of books for our library!
Humphry Davy School
25 Jun 2025
Last Friday, ten enthusiastic Year 8 girls visited Truro High School for Girls to celebrate Women in Engineering Day. They took part in a variety of hands-on workshops and exciting activities led by companies such as Eliquo Hydrok, the Royal Navy, Tecker, and Pendennis Shipyard. From filtering water and chocolate welding to Lego robotics, the girls explored real-world engineering challenges in fun and creative ways. An inspiring keynote speech by Dr. Faryal Khalid highlighted the cutting-edge role of engineering in clean energy. The day aimed to empower young women and spark their interest in engineering careers of the future, helping to build a more inclusive, dynamic future in engineering.
48
88
26
Contact Us
Headteacher William Marshall
Humphry Davy School, Coombe Road, Penzance,Cornwall, TR18 2TG
- 01736 363 559
- Email Us
How to Find Us
Get Directions