News

Recently, Mr Crossan had the honour of attending the 70th Anniversary The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Garden Party at Buckingham Palace — a special moment to reflect on the impact of an award that continues to shape so many young lives.

Hearing Prince Edward, alongside speakers including Alex Jones, Larry Lamb, Jake Humphrey and Hugh Bonneville, speak about the resilience and commitment behind completing a DofE Award prompted a humbling thought:“If my maths is right, over 800 students have taken part in the award since I’ve been at Hampton…”

Over 800 young people given the opportunity to discover confidence, independence and lifelong friendships — and perhaps passions they never knew they had.

For more than two decades, Mr Crossan has been at the heart of Hampton High, always leading with care, patience and genuine humanity. From PE teacher, to Head of PE, to Head of Year, he has quietly championed the belief that when young people feel supported and connected, curiosity and growth naturally follow.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award remains an exceptional opportunity for students to challenge themselves, build resilience and discover what drives them. At Hampton High, we are proud that our programme is run in-house by our fully trained DofE Coordinator, Mr Crossan, and heavily subsidised so every student has the chance to take part.

Perhaps the real legacy of programmes like DofE is not measured in awards at all — but in the confidence, friendships and sense of possibility that stay with young people long after the expeditions end.