EIGHT pupils from Beath High School are well on their way to achieving a gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. 

Maia Beeson, Isla Cattanach, Lucy Dalrymple, Isla Day, Alice Fox, Alice Henderson, Carron Wilson and Rhona Wilson have successfully achieved all three levels.

They started their journey to success in S3 and will finish it in S6. Their gold journeys will take each of them 12-18 months of hard work and dedication.

A Beath teacher told the Times: "Young people can achieve a Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award if they show persistence, commitment and personal development over a period of time.

"Every activity must be successfully completed and assessed. The result is the world’s leading achievement award for young people, recognised by employers and universities alike.

"Completing a D of E programme develops youngsters for life and work.

"It develops resilience, confidence and a ‘can do’ attitude as well as the social and communication skills that businesses are calling out for.

"Achieving a gold award is a big deal. It shows that the pupils have the skills, determination and mentality to really succeed.

"It is only right that they get a proper celebration of their achievement and this will begin with a presentation at the Palace of Holyrood, Edinburgh, where the pupils will receive their gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards from a celebrity presenter.

"Those who achieve a gold award will volunteer, learn a skill, get fit, take part in a week long residential and plan and undertake an expedition in wild country.

"Widely acknowledged as the world’s leading achievement award for young people, the programmes enable any young person, aged 14-24, to develop key skills for life and work, such as confidence, commitment and team working.

"As the group’s leader, I’m so proud of each and every one of them. They have all been on a personal journey and I have watched them develop along the way from young girls into young adults.

"I hope that gaining this award will benefit them in the future. However, I have no doubt that they will succeed in whatever they set their minds to, as they are all winners in my eyes."