Sixthformer strikes gold

A Barrow Sixth Form College student is celebrating after successfully achieving her Gold Duke of Edinburgh award.

Jasmine Newby, who studies criminology, sport and business at the Rating Lane campus, completed the prestigious award alongside her studies.

The former Chetwynde School pupil secured her bronze and silver awards at school and said she hopes the skills she has learned will help her in her future career ambitions to be a police officer.

As part of the DoE Gold award, Jasmine had to complete four different elements, including an expedition where she wild camped for four nights and five days. She also volunteered as a police cadet for 12 months, coached different sports sessions for children and learnt sign language.

She said one of the highlights was a five-night residential in the Lake District, including taking part in water sports.

“I did this award with five others from sixth form and the relationship I was able to form with my peers was great,” she said. “I wouldn’t have got this anywhere else, we had good days and bad days and we pulled each other through it.

“I think it was better that it was such a challenge because I have been able to get so much more out of it.”

She said she was invited with her parents to Buckingham Palace to receive her award next month but has an exam on that day so her presentation will be rearranged for later in the year.

Head of Sixth Form Hilary Johns said: “The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award is an amazing achievement which takes work, time and dedication. It takes a certain type of person to dig deep to be successful and it’s all credit to Jasmine that she’s achieved this.”