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
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.
Humphry Davy School
24 Jun 2025
On Thursday, the HDS Music department put on an incredible Summer Concert in Penlee Park. The setting was beautiful, and the weather provided a perfect evening for the event.
With students from Year 7 – 11 taking part (including alumni), the program included a good breadth of genres and styles.
There were some very special moments during the evening including Mr Chinn's expertly choreographed dance moves during the Year 11 band performance and Mr Bosworth's 'Yabba Dabba Do' entry into the Wind Band.
Impact choir's performance was an extra special celebration of their 5 year anniversary. It included Year 11 students who were there 5 years ago when Miss Kleiman started the group. The concert finale was a fitting performance of 'You Will be Found' from the musical Dear Evan Hansen - a song sung 5 years ago in the first iteration of the choir.
What a night!
ASONE Hub
Humphry Davy School
24 Jun 2025
How exciting! Our 2026 musical has been announced and audition sign up is now open! If you would like an audition pack or would like to know more please speak to Mr Chinn.
Humphry Davy School
23 Jun 2025
On the evening of Tuesday 17th June, ten HDS students (along with participants from a host of other local primary and secondary schools) gave a superb performance at the Hall for Cornwall.
As part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Associate Schools Programme, students have spent many months exploring the text of The Tempest in after school rehearsals at HDS.
On Tuesday, six Y7 and Y8 students gave a fantastic performance of their scene on the big stage in front of a packed house. The nerves may have been there, but you couldn’t tell as they acted their roles with confidence, clarity, energy and enthusiasm.
Prior to the showcase this week, four of our Y9 students had the exciting opportunity to participate in several full day workshops at the Hall for Cornwall with RSC professionals and Sam Colborne from Treviglas Academy, which all led to a moving and compelling performance on the night of their interpretation of extracts from Hamlet. The commitment and camaraderie from our students and from all the other participants from around Cornwall were wonderful to see.
A huge well done to all who took part and thank you to all staff, parents and carers for your support. We’re looking forward to doing it all again next year!
Humphry Davy School
23 Jun 2025
As a reward for our participation in Big Walk and Wheel 2025, we were treated to a thrilling BMX demonstration from professional rider Matti Hemmings.
Matti also put together a workshop for ten lucky students to learn some BMX tricks of their own! The selected students had the unique opportunity to learn some flatland BMX skills under Matti’s expert guidance. The students thoroughly enjoyed themselves and showcased some impressive emerging talents!
After the workshop, Matti delivered a fantastic demonstration where students got the chance to watch the skilled BMX rider in action and were thoroughly entertained. Matti also spoke with our students after his demo, offering them a glimpse into life as a professional athlete and sharing words of encouragement and inspiration.
What an incredible reward, well done to everyone who participated in the Big Walk and Wheel this year.
Humphry Davy School
19 Jun 2025
Join us on Thursday 19th June for our Summer Concert at Penlee Park! We are really looking forward to another fantastic show from our amazing musicians.
Tickets can be purchased here: www.penleeparktheatre.com/events/humphry-davy-school-concert-190625/
See you there!
Humphry Davy School
18 Jun 2025
Last Thursday, our Music GCSE students and Music Scholar’s performed some outstanding original music at Truro Cathedral for the ASONE Hub Composition Expo Event. The GCSE students performed their piece 'Memory Lake' inspired by the word 'reflection' and written to accompany the contemporary dance group 'Propeller'. This original composition was created under the expert guidance of renowned conductor and composer Patrick Bailey, while the choreography has been shaped by the dynamic vision of dance artist Grace Murdoch. Their mentorship transformed raw ideas into an unforgettable showcase of emerging talent. Music Scholars performed an original song under the guidance of Mr Bosworth - the banging chorus was a particular highlight with the harmonies sounding incredible in the Cathedral.
Humphry Davy School
17 Jun 2025
Year 9 have been working on their group performing skills in music lessons this term. It is a great way to finish their KS3 curriculum bringing together all the skills they have learnt and working together on a rock/pop song performance. The best classroom performances qualify for the lunchtime Battle of the Bands competition. This year the standard was very high. There were 5 outstanding performances and judges have had a very difficult time deciding on a winner. Winners will be announced soon. They will receive a certificate, prize and entry into our Penlee Park open air concert on the 19th June.
Humphry Davy School
13 Jun 2025
Huge congratulations to students Erin, Annie Mae and Nyla who recently competed at the DanceStars European Championships in the Netherlands!
The girls travelled by coach with their team mates to compete in this exciting competition. As you can see from the medals around their necks, the competition was a roaring success! Their team, Animate, became European Champions by winning 1st place in the U15 Advanced Open Team section. They also secured 3rd place in the U15 Advanced Contemporary Team section and were presented with some very impressive trophies to bring back to Cornwall.
Our girls also performed spectacularly in their solo, duo and trio performances. Medals included Erin placing 2nd in the U15 Advanced Open Regular Solo section performing Jazz, Annie Mae placing 2nd in the U15 Advanced Contemporary Showcase Solo section and Nyla placing 4th in the O13 Intermediate/Advanced Lyrical Regular Duo section.
We are so proud of you! What an incredible achievement! We look forward to hearing where your talent takes you next!
Humphry Davy School
12 Jun 2025
We currently have exciting opportunities to join our staff team!
- Teachers of Science
- Science Technician
- Cleaning Operative
For detailed information on each role please visit our website.
https://www.humphry-davy.cornwall.sch.uk/2343/staff-vacancies
Humphry Davy School
12 Jun 2025
A HUGE thank you to the Truro College Fashion and Textiles department who hosted a screen printing workshop for our Year 10 textiles students last week.
The amazing day allowed our budding designers to experience a day in the life of an A level Fashion/Textiles student. Whilst also developing pieces of experimental screen printing work for their extended project, which is worth 60% of their GCSE.
Such a great opportunity for our students!
Humphry Davy School
11 Jun 2025
On Friday, students from Years 7 to 10 had the exciting opportunity to attend the Royal Cornwall Show – and this year’s visit was more special than ever!
This annual school trip is run as a reward for students who have consistently demonstrated excellent attendance, achievement, and behaviour since the start of the academic year in September 2024. It’s one of the ways we at Humphry Davy celebrate the commitment, effort and positive attitude of our young people – they certainly earned it.
The Royal Cornwall Show is one of the county’s largest and most prestigious events, showcasing everything from local agriculture and food to crafts, entertainment and culture. Our students enjoyed exploring the exhibits, engaging with hands-on activities (getting freebies!), and gaining a broader understanding of Cornwall’s rich heritage.
The highlight of the day? A surprise visit from his Royal Highness Prince William himself! The Prince took time to meet members of the public – and several of our very own students had the unforgettable experience of shaking hands and speaking with him in person. It was a moment of awe and pride, and a memory they’ll carry with them for years to come.
We’re incredibly proud of all the students who qualified for this year’s trip. Their dedication to their learning and to our school community is an inspiration, and it’s a pleasure to reward them with such a unique experience.
We’d also like to thank the staff who supported the trip and helped make it such a success, and to the organisers of the Royal Cornwall Show for hosting yet another fantastic event.
We’re already looking forward to next year!
Humphry Davy School
11 Jun 2025
For the 2nd year in a row HDS has won the Cornwall Secondary Big Walk and Wheel Competition! Across Cornwall, students have risen to the challenge of reducing carbon emissions and air pollution during their travel to school.
This year our reward is an amazing demonstration from professional BMX flatland rider, Matti Hemmings. The demo will take place on Thursday 12th June, 3.15-3.45pm. We welcome and encourage all students to stay afterschool and watch Matti perform.
Matti is a three times Guinness World Record holder, who competes and performs shows at the highest level all over the world. He is renowned for dedicating his years of riding to pushing boundaries and has invented signature moves, whilst building his own unique style.
We can’t wait! If you need any more convincing you can watch him in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmdCRBhhcic
Humphry Davy School
6 Jun 2025
On Wednesday we showcased our ‘Creative Arts Theatre Festival’ and what a spectacular show it was!
The evening was arranged by Mr Chinn and Mrs Prior and featured a selection of well-known pieces from Musicals and Shakespeare plays. Students performed brilliantly, really bringing the space alive with charisma and energy. The show also featured some stand out dance pieces from the HDS Dance Company, choreographed by Mrs Perry. The whole show was beautifully accompanied by our resident pianist Abi Meyritz, whose talent on the keys gelled exquisitely with our singers. A massive ‘well done’ to everyone involved, it was a great night and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the range of talent on display. It is always wonderful watching all our students' hard work in rehearsals come together in such a polished final performance.
At the end of the show an exciting venture was revealed by Mr Street to rapturous applause and excitement! We will be putting together a HDS MUSICAL SHOW in spring 2026... but what will it be?... We will find out very soon! Watch this space.
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Contact Us
Headteacher William Marshall
Humphry Davy School, Coombe Road, Penzance,Cornwall, TR18 2TG
- 01736 363 559
- Email Us
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