Year 13 student Nathan Ottaway had a very nerve wracking experience on Wednesday 22^nd May. Not only did he sit his A Level Sociology exam in the morning, he travelled immediately afterwards, to Buckingham Palace to collect his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. Having worked up to the Gold Award, Nathan found himself volunteering with the Beavers Scout Group, increasing his skills in the tenor horn where he passed his Grade 4 exam and has spent 6 months swimming weekly to complete his physical activity task. It had been two years of hard slog whilst also preparing for his AS and A Levels but was definitely worth all of the extra effort. Nathan said “I have loved every second of completing my Gold Award and it was an honour to attend the award ceremony at Buckingham Palace. I saw so many celebrities and, of course, members of the Royal Family - Princess Eugenie together with the Earl and Countess of Wessex. My award was handed to me by Pip Stewart, adventurer, presenter and journalist and Mum was also there to see me receive the certificate. I am very proud of what I have achieved but now I am looking forward to starting University to train as an architect”.