A TRIP to Buckingham Palace was enjoyed by staff and a former sixth former at a Halesowen high school for the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The Windsor High School contingent was invited in recognition of the school’s commitment to running the bronze, silver and gold awards over many years.

Ex-pupil Emily Foley was presented with her gold award – the first for the school - having completed a series of volunteering, fitness, sports, skills, and expedition challenges, plus a week-long residential.

She was accompanied by Windsor Academy Trust chief executive officer Keith Sorrell and DoE co-ordinator Richard Lowe to the presentation.

The school was also awarded a plaque from the DofE charity by celebrity supporters Oliver and James Phelps, of Harry Potter film fame, thanking it for giving young people the opportunity to take part in the scheme.

Mr Lowe said seeing Emily receive her award made the day “extra special”.

He added: “I feel honoured to have been invited to Buckingham Palace to receive a commemorative plaque to acknowledge and say thank you for our work with the charity during its diamond anniversary year.

“Our young people are encouraged to push themselves outside of their comfort zones when doing their DofE and the skills that they develop can be life-changing, so for us to be involved is something very special.”

The Duke of Edinburgh, the Earl and Countess of Wessex congratulated gold award achievers, organisations that deliver the DofE and supporters.