Poppy is CVQO Westminster Award Finalist

Category: Achievement, News, Outside of the Classroom, Pupil impact

Poppy C, Y13, has been selected as a finalist in the 2020 CVQO Westminster Award (Westminster Award – CVQO).

Poppy is a member of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) – The Westminster Award is open to cadets from uniformed youth organisations across the UK (including RAFAC, Army Cadets, Sea Cadets, Royal Marine Cadets, Police Cadets, Fire Cadets and St John Ambulance), that have completed a BTEC Level 2 Qualification through their cadet organisation. Poppy has completed both a BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Aviation Studies and a BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Teamwork and Personal Development in the Community. Over 1000 cadets are nominated each year.

Poppy was nominated for the award by her squadron commander in 2020 and progressed through to the Stage 2 which required her to produce a creative piece on why she should be considered for the award including details of local community work, how has helped others and how has overcome personal challenges. Poppy submitted an animated presentation.

The next stage of selection would normally be a shortlist of 20 candidates attending a week long selection event in Somerset, however this was cancelled due to COVID and replaced with an online event in May 2021 which saw 40 candidates combine from the 2020 and 2021 shortlist undertake several days of online activity ranging from group discussions, leadership exercises and team building. The candidates also completed an ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership & Management.

The finalists would normally travel to South Africa for an expedition focusing on humanitarian work, however due to COVID this has been replaced by an expedition to Cornwall at the end of July where the finalist will undertake community and environmental projects with the theme ‘Think Global, Act Local’

Poppy will attend an awards lunch at the House of Lords in mid September where the ultimate winner of the Award will be announced.