Buckingham Palace honours for RGS Gold Award holders

Buckingham Palace honours for RGS Gold Award holders

CONGRATULATIONS to 15 current and former Ripon Grammar School students who have achieved the prestigious Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award over the past year  - the highest honour in the world-renowned youth achievement programme.

To celebrate their remarkable accomplishment, many enjoyed a memorable day at Buckingham Palace in May, joining thousands of Gold Award recipients from across the UK at a special Garden Party hosted by HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh.

Held during the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award charity’s 70th anniversary year, the celebrations recognised the resilience, commitment and determination shown by young people who have completed the demanding Gold Award programme. The event welcomed more than 8,000 Gold Award holders across two celebration days, with around 2,000 guests attending each event in the Buckingham Palace gardens.

Guests enjoyed a festival atmosphere in the palace gardens, with afternoon tea, games, live entertainment and the chance to hear from a host of well-known personalities. Inspirational speakers included Strictly Come Dancing professional Katya Jones, entrepreneur Sara Davies MBE, television presenters Molly Rainford and Tyler West, former England goalkeeper David Seaman MBE, gaming creator Vikram Barn and broadcaster Jaz Singh.

The Gold Award is the highest level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and challenges participants to complete five sections: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition and a Residential project. Open to young people aged 16 to 24, it requires sustained commitment over at least 12 months and is widely recognised by universities and employers for developing leadership, teamwork, resilience and independence.

Ripon Grammar School’s Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award recipients this year are:

  • Amaani Ameera Waseem Ikram (left July 2018)
  • Oscar Canning (left July 2022)
  • Daniel McClean (left July 2025)
  • Lola Sherry (left July 2025)
  • Grace Nelson (left July 2025)
  • James Tabor (left July 2025)
  • Tess Holloway (left July 2025)
  • Bella Spencer (left July 2025)
  • William Bellaries (left July 2025)
  • Matilda Allerton (left July 2025)
  • Kareen Said (left July 2025)
  • Chloe Homar (left July 2025)
  • Sophie Wedgner (left July 2025)
  • Emma Hetherington (current Upper Sixth)
  • Joel Wood (current Upper Sixth)

Congratulations to all 15 award holders on this outstanding achievement and for representing Ripon Grammar School so proudly at one of the country’s most prestigious youth award celebrations.

Buckingham Palace honours for RGS Gold Award holders
Buckingham Palace honours for RGS Gold Award holders
Buckingham Palace honours for RGS Gold Award holders