insideKENT Magazine Issue 97 - April 2020 | Page 149

NEWS
TRIPLE GOLD FOR THE HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM
The Historic Dockyard Chatham has announced it
has been awarded the prestigious Gold Accolade by
VisitEngland for the quality of its visitor experience
for the third year running.
VisitEngland, the national body promoting England
as a world class tourist destination, has designed its
awards to celebrate excellence within the visitor
attraction sector and to showcase those businesses
in the VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality
Scheme (VAQAS) that go the extra mile to provide
a high quality day out.
Of the 100’s of attractions taking part across
the country only 17 attractions have reached the
Gold standard as judged by VisitEngland’s team
of independent assessors, with fellow Kent
attraction Shepherd Neame receiving the accolade
for Welcome.
Andrew Stokes, director. VisitEngland said:
“England’s attractions provide visitors with amazing
experiences and these accolades recognise the
outstanding customer service and quality on
offer across the country. From Best Told Story
interpretation to Hidden Gem and overall Gold,
these accolades show that there is an attraction
capable of capturing everyone’s imagination creating
lasting memories and spreading the economic benefits
from tourism.”
Amy Welsh, head of visitor experience, Chatham
Historic Dockyard Trust, said: “Chatham Historic
DofE SUCCESS AT THE DUKE OF
YORK’S ROYAL MILITARY SCHOOL
An outstanding
120 students
celebrated gaining
their Duke of
Edinburgh’s
Bronze, Silver and
Gold Awards at a
special ceremony
with parents, staff
and governors at
the Duke of York’s
Royal Military
School.
The awards at the Dover school, a DofE accredited centre, were presented
by guest of honour and former student and chief school prefect, Simon Daglish
who is deputy managing director of the commercial division at ITV. In his
own time, Simon has raised more than £5 million for Walking with the
Wounded, a charity he co-founded to help former armed forces personnel
who need support.
79 students passed Bronze awards which involved volunteering projects to
improve the local environment, 32 students received Silver awards, and current
students; Chloe Still, James Sherburn, Sodyan Cross, Neal Cater, Felix Daglish,
Tom Freeman, James Howell, and Josh Still, have completed or have nearly
completed their Gold awards.
Guests also recognised the achievements of former students Georgina
Waddington, Sam Collinson, Lewis Parry, Valen Patchet, and Skye Stockings;
who will receive their Gold awards at St James’s Palace later this year.
Kerry Duffield, the school’s DofE manager, said: “Students have shown great
commitment to complete their awards which play an important part in our
school activities and develop our core military values of courage, integrity,
respect, commitment, loyalty and self-discipline. They also gain a real sense
of achievement, confidence and useful skills that put them in good stead for
life. It has been another bumper year and I am proud of each student who
has received a certificate and badge.”
Dockyard Trust’s philosophy is excellence in all that
we do. As a visitor attraction, we provide an
experience to this standard across all aspects of our
business. This is the third consecutive year we have
received the Gold Accolade, and with an even higher
score this time, it is testament to our fantastic team
who are committed to delivering the highest standard
of service to all of our visitors.”
RAINHAM MARK GRAMMAR SCHOOL
CHOSEN TO PROPEL STEM
SUBJECTS IN KENT SCHOOLS
Rainham Mark
Grammar School in
Gillingham has been
chosen to help drive
greater interest in
STEM (Science,
Technology, Education
& Mathematics)
subjects in secondary
schools across Kent by
supporting teaching
professionals to develop
and grow out-of-
timetable STEM
subject clubs.
The school has been
chosen to be the STEM
Club Champion for
Kent and forms part of
a 22-strong network of
STEM Club Champions created by education and careers provider, STEM
Learning following funding from the Gatsby Foundation.
Rainham Mark Grammar School will work with secondary schools throughout
the county to deliver a programme of workshops and networking events for
teaching professionals. A key element will be encouraging teachers to enhance
pupils' understanding of the exciting range of STEM related careers available
(locally and nationally) by tapping into STEM Learning's 30,000 strong
ambassador networks, which represents 2500 different employers.
Mr Kevin Frost, assistant headteacher and Kent and Medway Science
Learning Partnership lead teacher at Rainham Mark Grammar School said:
“This is an excellent opportunity to further engage with local schools to
promote the importance of STEM education across the county. By enabling
and supporting the delivery of STEM clubs we hope to inspire the next
generation of future scientists”.
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