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
11 Dec 2025
It was a pleasure welcoming back the Class of 2025 on Thursday 27th November for our annual Presentation Evening.
It was a brilliant night of celebration and a wonderful opportunity to catch up.
Thank you to our guest speaker, Floyd Steadman, for his inspiring speech, and to our student speakers for their lovely, reminiscent pieces.
It was a joy to watch students receive their special awards and GCSE certificates - a true celebration of their success at HDS.
Thank you to everyone who attended; it was lovely to see you all. Best of luck with your next steps, and do keep in touch!
Be sure to join our alumni association so you can easily share all the wonderful things you get up to! www.futurefirsthub.org.uk/register/humphrydavy
Humphry Davy School
11 Dec 2025
Today’s 10th place spot goes to this lovely little drawing from Kelsie in Kemeneth House! A magical moonlit harbour scene, complete with the moon shimmering across the sea — just beautiful.
Humphry Davy School
10 Dec 2025
Happy Wednesday everyone! Today’s Christmas advent treat comes from Amy in Aweni House — and it’s a delight! We absolutely love her bold, bright drawing of Santa and his elf travelling in a very unexpected mode of transport. Such creativity and festive fun! Congratulations on 11th place.
Humphry Davy School
10 Dec 2025
Be sure to join us tomorrow evening for our Applied Arts Celebration of Achievement event! We’re excited to showcase the amazing coursework created by our Year 11 students. 5-6pm in the gallery. See you there!
Humphry Davy School
10 Dec 2025
We were proud to host our first ever boxing event last week, organised by Active Cornwall and delivered by England Boxing. The programme provided students with a unique opportunity to experience high-quality boxing training — something many had never experienced before.
The sessions were fun, engaging, and competitive, giving students the chance to develop new skills while building confidence and teamwork. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with all students thoroughly enjoying the experience.
A huge thank you to Active Cornwall — we look forward to working together again and hope to host more events like this soon!
Humphry Davy School
10 Dec 2025
Last week, students spent a crafty day building their very own Humphry Davy Lantern sculptures using withies and tissue paper. The lanterns will be paraded through Penzance this Friday for the town’s annual celebration marking the birthday of Sir Humphry Davy. Our students had so much fun creating their lanterns and are hoping for a dry evening so they can show them off on Friday!
Humphry Davy School
9 Dec 2025
Our Christmas tree is HUGE this year! When it arrived in reception last week, we couldn’t believe our eyes. Students and staff jumped straight in to decorate it (it definitely took a team!) and just like that, Christmas had officially arrived at HDS.
We love this time of year when the tree is up — it brings so much festive cheer and is impossible to walk past without commenting on its beauty and gorgeous smell. This year’s tree comes with a side of “WOW! Just look how big it is!”
Thank you to Mrs Berryman for the tree donation again this year, it is greatly appreciated by everyone here at HDS and all our visitors!
Humphry Davy School
9 Dec 2025
On the 12th day of our Christmas countdown, we’re delighted to share another beautiful piece of student photography! Today’s image was captured by Year 10 student Jacob from Aweni House. A wonderfully wintry view of Penzance harbour, and the sea even looks a little inviting!
Humphry Davy School
9 Dec 2025
Last week, our school houses went head-to-head in a magical gingerbread house decorating competition! The creativity, festive flair, and attention to detail from all participants was incredible — making judging no easy task.
And the winners are…
🥇 1st Place - Sowena – Beautifully constructed and full of intricate detail.
🥈 2nd Place - Tevi – Imaginative and bursting with colour and decoration.
🥉 3rd Place - Kemeneth – Charming, creative, and full of teamwork.
Huge congratulations to our winners, and a massive well done to everyone who joined in! It was fantastic watching your little houses take shape. Your hard work and festive spirit truly made this year’s competition the sweetest one yet!
Humphry Davy School
8 Dec 2025
On Saturday, our Music Scholars hit the road to spread Christmas cheer across West Cornwall!
They stopped at Bolitho Care Home, the Carbis Bay Beach Christmas Fair, and Nancledra Primary School Christmas Fair, entertaining everyone in their Santa hats with a joyful repertoire of festive classics.
We loved being out in the community, spreading some festive cheer this winter season — and we can’t wait to share more at our Christmas Concert on Monday 15th December. Don’t miss it!
Humphry Davy School
8 Dec 2025
Today's Christmas card, in 13th place, is this lovely photograph taken by Year 10 student Olly from Longya House. This beautiful Penzance landscape bursts with soft, warm colours from the evening glow and we loved the glimpse of the iconic Jubilee Pool!
Humphry Davy School
7 Dec 2025
Year 7 student, Florence’s icy beach scene comes in at 14th place today. With delicate snowflakes and cool tones making this piece beautifully serene. A win for Tevi House!
Humphry Davy School
6 Dec 2025
Coming in at 15th place, Year 10 student, Amelia , from Tevi House, delights us with a festive fishing boat and bobbing baubles. A wonderfully whimsical seaside Christmas! We loved the wreath on the front too!
Humphry Davy School
5 Dec 2025
Our 16th spot shines with Year 9 student, Harriet’s stunning harbour lights photographic piece — a cosy Christmas glow reflected on the water, just beautiful. Kemeneth House will be proud!
Humphry Davy School
4 Dec 2025
Well done to Year 9 student, Finn! Taking 17th place for Aweni House, with this magical photo of glowing Christmas lanterns lighting up the night sky — so atmospheric!
Humphry Davy School
4 Dec 2025
A small group of students are currently visiting London! They arrived safely at around 3 pm on Tuesday afternoon before heading straight out for dinner and a walk to the theatre via Buckingham Palace - where they even caught a glimpse of a royal visitor leaving just as they arrived!
On their second day, they visited Parliament for a guided tour led by HDS alumnus Nathan Glover, enjoyed a cruise along the River Thames, and explored the Science Museum, before wrapping up the day by watching the musical Back to the Future!
To round the trip off, they will be visiting Neasden Temple today before travelling back home to Cornwall. We look forward to hearing about all their adventures in the big city!
Humphry Davy School
3 Dec 2025
In 18th place, Maybelle, Year 11 student from Sowena House, brings Christmas cheer with her wonderfully quirky crowned octopus — full of colour and character! We loved it!
Humphry Davy School
2 Dec 2025
Today’s advent reveal is this charming Christmassy harbour scene by Year 8 student, Zachary, from Sowena House — peaceful, bright, and beautifully festive! Well done!
Humphry Davy School
2 Dec 2025
One for your calendars! Join us on Monday 15th December for a beautifully Christmassy evening.
8
14
21
39
8
9
19
39
22
16
19
14
168
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
