IT'S not just academic excellence young people at Bolton St Catherine's Academy strive for, its personal excellence too.

The school in Harwood is now officially a Licensed Organisation for the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The school introduced the award to expand pupils' skills beyond the curriculum.

Pupils and students who embark on the award complete four sections ­— volunteering, physical, skill and expedition ­— in their own time to enhance their skills in area such as team work, resilience, confidence and communication, skills employers are said to look for in an applicant.

First group of students to complete their award chose to learn First Aid with the help of the school's First Aid Trainer Lindsay McDonald.

Mrs McDonald said: "The students were passionate about wanting to learn what to do in a medical emergency. They not only gained skills to help each other whilst on expedition, but also to save someone’s life outside of school. They’re skills for life that all young people should be taught.”

As part of the physical section, students took up new hobbies, football, archery or running.

The volunteering aspect of the award saw some of the students attending a care home on a weekly basis to interact with the elderly.

Louise Hamar, age 14 and Mollie Christie, age 14 would play dominoes and card games with the older ladies and sometimes paint their nails and give them manicures.

Mollie said, “It was really nice to visit the ladies each week, they were so kind and really looked forward to us coming.”

Mr Hill, Duke of Edinburgh Award manager at the academy said, “We are so proud of the first ever students at Bolton St Catherine’s Academy in achieving their Bronze Award this year.

"They have showed such commitment and resilience throughout.”

Fifteen Year Nine students achieved the award which culminated in a two day self sufficient expedition over Winter Hill.

This year 30 students will embark on the Bronze award in addition to the current students who will progress to Silver Award.