We are delighted to share that Mr Lee Gwillim, Science Teacher and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Leader at our school, has been shortlisted for the prestigious School Trip Champion Award!

The award recognises teachers, Educational Visits Coordinators and school staff across the UK who go above and beyond to create inspiring learning opportunities outside the classroom.

The winner will be announced at the School Travel Awards ceremony on 20 November 2026, with the successful candidate receiving a £2,500 prize to spend on a future educational visit for their school.

Learning beyond the classroom

Mr Gwillim is passionate about giving our pupils opportunities to learn, grow and challenge themselves beyond the school gates.

As a rural school in Northumberland, we are proud to provide our pupils with opportunities to experience places, cultures and activities that they may not otherwise have access to. From international residential trips to outdoor adventures closer to home, these experiences help our young people develop confidence, resilience, independence and teamwork.

Over the course of his teaching career, Mr Gwillim has helped organise and lead a wide range of educational visits and residential experiences, including trips to Tanzania, Italy, Austria and France, as well as our annual ski trips and UK residential experiences.

Our pupils also benefit from a variety of day visits throughout the year, including theatre trips, curriculum-linked educational visits and other Learning Outside the Classroom experiences.

Making a difference through DofE

One of Mr Gwillim’s particular passions is our Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme, where he serves as Gold DofE Leader.

Through the programme, pupils are challenged to develop practical skills, resilience, leadership, teamwork and self-reliance. Gold expeditions can involve four demanding days in the outdoors, with pupils navigating, camping, solving problems and supporting one another, often in challenging weather conditions.

For Mr Gwillim, seeing pupils overcome these challenges and discover what they are capable of is one of the most rewarding parts of his role.

“By gently pushing them beyond their comfort zone in a supportive environment, they discover strengths they never knew they had and develop skills that will prepare them for whatever life throws at them.”

The impact of these opportunities has also been recognised by our families. One parent, Mrs Davis, described the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as giving “our local young people a chance to demonstrate the resilience, determination, teamwork and grit they possess in abundance.”

A team effort

While the award nomination recognises Mr Gwillim’s individual contribution, he is keen to emphasise that the opportunities available to our pupils are the result of a whole-school community effort.

Colleagues, senior leaders, support staff, parents and families all play an important role in making educational visits possible and ensuring our pupils can access experiences that broaden their horizons.

Mr Gwillim said:

“Receiving the School Trip Champion Award would mean a great deal to me, not simply as personal recognition, but as acknowledgement of the commitment our whole school community has made to providing these life-changing opportunities for young people.”

He added that, as a rural school, the team works hard to ensure that our pupils are “not limited by geography” and have access to the same kinds of experiences as young people elsewhere in the country.

Help us support Mr Gwillim!

We are incredibly proud that Mr Gwillim has been shortlisted for this award, and we would love our pupils, parents, families, alumni and wider community to get behind him.

The winner will be decided by a public vote, so every vote could make a difference.

If Mr Gwillim wins, the £2,500 prize will be used towards a future educational visit for our pupils, helping us to continue creating memorable experiences and opportunities beyond the classroom.

Please show your support for Mr Gwillim and vote for him in the School Trip Champion Award!

VOTE HERE

Voting closes: Sunday 18th October

The winner will be announced: 20 November 2026

Good luck, Mr Gwillim — and thank you for everything you do to help our young people discover what they are capable of beyond the classroom!