We are incredibly proud to celebrate a major milestone for our Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Manager, Andy Allman, who has been recognized for a remarkable 20 years of service to the DofE programme.
Andy’s journey began with 13 dedicated years at Bedlingtonshire Community High School (now Bedlington Academy), where he ultimately served as DofE Manager. Since joining us at Ponteland High School in 2018—initially supporting the programme alongside Amelia Yates—Andy took the lead as our DofE Manager in 2019. Under his leadership, the programme has reached unprecedented heights.
Record-Breaking Success at Ponteland
Thanks to Andy’s vision and hard work, Ponteland High School has become a regional powerhouse for the DofE programme. The statistics speak for themselves:
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2024/25 Season: We achieved the Highest Award starts in Northumberland and ranked 4th in the entire North East. We also led the county with the highest number of Awards achieved.
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2025/26 Season (Current): We currently hold the Highest Award starts in Northumberland and have climbed to 2nd in the North East.
A Snapshot of Our Current Success (2025/26)
Perhaps most impressively, our students have achieved a 56.7% cohort completion rate, significantly outperforming the UK national average of 43.1%.
More Than Just a Medal
The DofE programme at Ponteland High School continues to go from strength to strength. Beyond the statistics, Andy’s leadership provides our students with invaluable opportunities to develop life skills, resilience, and character. These experiences create lasting memories and a foundation for success that will serve them long after they leave our school.
Congratulations, Andy, on 20 years of life-changing work. Here’s to many more!