Downside School team nails gruelling Ten Tots Challenge across north of Dartmoor
A top Catholic independent school is celebrating after a team of its pupils conquered the gruelling Ten Tors Challenge. The group – from Downside School, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Somerset navigated difficult conditions across 35 miles of the north of Dartmoor to complete the challenge.
The ten Tors outdoor event is aimed solely at young people, and takes place every year on Dartmoor during the weekend following the May public holiday and is now firmly established in the collective consciousness of the South West.
Training for the Event is the responsibility of the participants’ Establishments and often starts months in advance. Completing Ten Tors is not easy with the terrain, distances and often the climate all conspiring against success. It is though achievable with the right commitment, training, endurance and grit: as the Event’s founder once said: “If there is anything more important than the will to succeed, it is that the will shall not falter.”
The Event starts and finishes at Okehampton Camp and is organised by the Army’s Headquarters South West with support from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as well as civilian emergency services and volunteers. It consists of two challenges, the Ten Tors Challenge and the Jubilee Challenge.
The Ten Tors Challenge is attempted by 2,400 teenagers in 400 teams of six. The teams navigate routes of 35, 45 or 55 miles (depending on age) over the Northern half of Dartmoor, visiting ten nominated tors / check points in under two days. Teams must be self-sufficient, carrying all that they need to complete their route and stay out overnight safely.
This year 2,400 teenagers in 400 teams of six navigated routes walked 35 miles over the Northern half of Dartmoor, visiting ten nominated tors/check points, in under two days. Each team had to be self-sufficient, carrying all that they need to complete their route and stay out overnight safely.
All 12 Downside pupils made it to the end, despite blistered feet and weary bodies, but in very high spirits!
“We are incredibly proud of Martin, Diego, Isabella, Ellie, Harriet, Daphne, Leo, Louis, Boo, Fiona, Gabby and Zuba for completing the Ten Tors challenge,” said a spokesperson for Downside school.
“We would like to thank Mrs Murphy, Mr N Barrett, Mr S Barrett and Mr Pollard for all their hard work in the preparation and support of our pupils through this brilliant endeavour, including making a magnificent breakfast on the moor at 5am to set them up for the start of the long walk.”
Downside school is a co-educational independent boarding and day school near Bath for pupils aged 11-18, selected as the top Catholic independent school in the south west by the Catholic Good Schools Guise. It was awarded ‘outstanding’ across all categories by the Catholic Schools Inspectorate May 2024.
