SCHOOL students impressed Prince William with their skill when they put up a tent blindfold as part of a leadership challenge.

Pupils from Caldicot School took part in the launch of the new SkillForce Prince William Award Programme, which is designed to give children confidence and resilience.

They showed the royal visitor a ‘monster storm’ trust-based challenge, where students imagined they were on an overnight hike and had to erect tents in darkness.

One member of the team, without a blindfold, directed the others before Prince William presented the school with a commemorative trophy.

As one of the pilot schools, students and staff travelled to Llanfoist Fawr Primary School in Abergavenny on Wednesday, March 1, for the launch of the prince’s SkillForce awards.

Caldicot School head teacher and SkillForce ambassador, Susan Gwyer-Roberts, said: “Caldicot School has been a long standing supporter of SkillForce, and so it is incredibly exciting for us to meet Prince William.

“The charity’s work is transformational, and the instructors are great role models. We’ve seen students previously shy and wary of speaking up being willing to give a group talk and others who were lacking in self-belief succeeding in ways they didn’t think were possible.

“SkillForce inspires our students to persevere and succeed, and we are proud to be part of the Prince William Award pilot this year.”

Caldicot pupil Keaton Oliver, aged 12, said: “It was so exciting to meet Prince William, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I got to shake his hand.

“Doing the SkillForce activities has helped me become a better person, and they are really fun. I’ve learnt how to cope better with my feelings, and express myself.

“I feel more confident and resilient. I am okay about speaking up in a group now, whereas before I used to be a bit shy of doing that.”

Schoolmate Megan Connolly, aged 11, said: “It is really fun doing the SkillForce sessions and it was very exciting seeing Prince William.

“We do challenges where we have to work in teams and solve problems. I think the award is a good idea, it’s made me feel more confident in every day life and lessons.”

The groundbreaking aw­ard programme is aimed at schoolchildren aged six to 14, and is delivered by national education charity SkillForce.

It draws on the expertise and skills of predominantly ex-Services personnel who work as instructors.

Prince William, SkillForce’s patron, said: “I am so passionate about SkillForce and so proud to be here today to launch this awards programme that bears my name.

“I believe that an individual’s academic success, wellbeing and mental health depends not only on traditional qualifications, but on nurturing non-academic attributes like self-confidence, discipline and determination.

“It is not enough that someone is good at English and Maths if they cannot withstand the pressures that life throws up.

“The Prince William Award dares six to 14 year olds to be their best selves – to gain habits at an early stage of their life that will equip them for the rest of their childhood and adult lives.”

Presenting ‘the Trailblazers’ at Caldicot School with a trophy, the prince added: “You are some of the very first young people in the country to take part in the Prince William Award. Many congratulations.”  

The pilot, which has involved 37 schools, is set to be rolled out nationally from September.

For more information, see www.skillforce.org.