On a crisp autumn day, fifteen young adventurers from The Wilnecote School embarked on a journey unlike any they had experienced before. Armed with backpacks filled with essential supplies and hearts brimming with anticipation, they set off on their Duke of Edinburgh Silver Practice Expedition. As they stepped into the unknown, on National Poetry Day, we celebrated the day and the achievements by telling the story in the form of poetry.  press play above to listen to Izzy, Jamie and Adelina from Year 8 tell the story.

Two days, two nights in the Peak’s wild embrace,
Fifteen young trekkers, setting the pace.
Dovedale’s valleys opened our way,
With maps in hand, though they led us astray.

Muddy fields swallowed boots whole,
As we stumbled and laughed, still reaching our goal.
Questionable map skills, wrong turns were made,
Yet no one’s spirit began to fade.

Steep hills loomed, a test of our might,
But we faced them head-on, climbing to height.
Legs ached, feet sore, the journey was tough,
Yet each one of us proved we were more than enough.

Farmyard animals watched with calm eyes,
Sheep and cows stood under bright blue skies.
They seemed to say, “Keep going, you’re near,”
As we trudged onward without any fear.

Camp stove cooking by dimming light,
A meal well-earned as we faced the night.
Rice half-cooked, beans straight from the tin,
But after long miles, it felt like a win.

Morning brought frost, bitter and cold,
Chilled to the bone, but we stayed bold.
Three staff, shivering, tired and worn,
Yet proud of the young ones from night until morn.

And oh, the Lidl t-shirt nominations came,
For moments of glory, or humorous fame.
In muddy boots, we trekked with pride,
No label could hide what burned inside.

Through every wrong turn, through every steep climb,
Fifteen amazing, young souls shone with time.
Their laughter, their grit, their strength on display,
Turning cold, muddy fields into a pathway.

Two days, two nights in the Peak District’s heart,
A challenge that brought us together, not apart.
Cold, tired, but smiling, our spirits stayed high,
Under the Peak District’s wide-open sky.