The Duchess of Rutland Award: The D of R
Meet James, who is one of our D of R lead providers:
The Duchess of Rutland Award is a unique personal development programme created especially for the children and young people at The Place Independent School, in partnership with Emma Manners, Duchess of Rutland.
The award is designed to celebrate progress, effort and personal growth, rather than academic results. It recognises that every child and young person’s journey is different, and that success looks different for every young person.
What is the award?
The Duchess of Rutland Award is similar in idea to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, but it has been carefully adapted to meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs, trauma backgrounds and additional challenges.
It provides a structured but flexible framework that helps children and young people:
- Build confidence and resilience
- Improve physical and emotional wellbeing
- Develop independence and life skills
- Feel proud of what they have achieved
All activities are personalised and achievable, allowing children and young people to work at their own pace with the support of trusted adults.
What does the award involve?
Children and young people work towards the award by taking part in activities across a range of areas, including:
- Physical activity suited to their individual abilities
- Outdoor learning and nature-based experiences
- Emotional wellbeing and self-development
- Helping others and contributing positively to the community
- Developing routines, responsibility and independence
The focus is on engagement, effort and reflection, not pressure or competition.
Why do we offer this award?
Many of our pupils have found traditional reward systems or qualifications difficult or inaccessible. The Duchess of Rutland Award was created to ensure that every child and young person has the opportunity to succeed and be recognised.
The award:
- Encourages motivation and positive self-belief
- Helps pupils set and achieve meaningful goals
- Celebrates small steps that lead to big changes
How are achievements recognised?
When children and young people complete stages of the award, their achievements are formally recognised and celebrated. This includes special presentations connected to Belvoir Castle, providing children and young people with a memorable and meaningful sense of accomplishment.
Celebration is an important part of the process, helping children and young people feel valued, proud and confident in their abilities.
Our commitment
At The Place Independent School, we believe every young person deserves recognition for their effort and growth. The Duchess of Rutland Award reflects our commitment to nurturing the whole child and supporting each pupil to reach their potential in a way that feels safe, positive and achievable.
