Prince William was in East Yorkshire this week for a number of charity visits.
Prince William’s trip included a visit to Goole High School to launch a new award for primary school children as Royal Patron of the charity SkillForce.
SkillForce draws on the values and skills of ex-forces personnel to inspire young people to achieve at school.
The Duke watched the youngsters take part in a team bridge-building exercise in the school yard which was inspired by the 70th anniversary of D-Day later this week.
The Duke chatted about the SkillForce initiative with staff, pupils and representatives of the charity.
The new SkillForce Junior Prince’s Award is aimed at nine and 10-year-olds, especially under-privileged children who do not have easy access to these kind of activities. It is particularly aimed as smoothing the transition for children between primary and secondary school.
The award involves team-building and problem-solving challenges, team sports, outdoor pursuits including camping, first aid, navigation, observing remembrance and community projects.
Goole High School has worked with a group of local primary schools to develop the new national award programme.
Speaking before the visit, Peter Cross, Chief Executive of SkillForce, said: "The award is designed to engage younger learners in exciting lessons, challenges and community projects that prepare them for secondary education, a time when some students can begin to lose their way.
“Our programme builds up the children’s confidence, resilience, team work and problem solving to give them a boost before the start of new adventures and encourage them to take a more active role in their town, city or village.
“It’s SkillForce’s 10th birthday, and we are honoured that our Royal Patron has marked the occasion by lending his support to the Junior Prince’s Award for roll-out across the country.”
Later, The Duke travelled to West Yorkshire where he visited the youth homeless charity Centrepoint's base in Bradford and joined young people undergoing media training.
His Royal Highness followed in his mother's footsteps by taking on the patronage of Centrepoint as his first charity, influenced by memories of visiting the charity’s premises with his parents as a child.
Source: DukeAndDuchessOfCambridge.org
