Duchy College Military and Protective Services Academy - MAPS Academy

02/06/2026

👏 Great to welcome back Duchy MaPS Alumni Jack! 👏

Just before half term, we were delighted to welcome Jack back to Duchy College to speak with our Military & Protective Services learners.

Jack has recently completed Air Force initial training at RAF Halton and is now moving on to his trade training to become a Weapons Systems Engineer.

He spoke to our learners about the realities of RAF initial training and how the course helped prepare him — not just physically, but also with his attitude, administration, resilience, discipline, knowledge and understanding of what is expected in training.

It was fantastic to see Jack again, and our learners found the session incredibly useful. Hearing directly from someone who has been through the course and is now successfully progressing in the RAF gave real context to what we do every day and why the standards, routines, fitness, teamwork and personal discipline matter.

This is what Duchy MaPS is all about — preparing learners properly for their next steps into the Armed Forces, Blue Light Services and wider Uniformed Services careers.

We currently have:

✅ 2 former learners in Army Initial Training at Pirbright
✅ 1 learner at Army Selection
✅ 1 learner on Royal Marines Selection
✅ 1 former learner at AFC Harrogate who has just been promoted to Junior Corporal

A huge well done to Jack and to all of our learners and alumni currently taking their next steps. We are incredibly proud of you all.

🚨 Want Outstanding preparation for a career in the Uniformed Services?

There is still time to apply.

Visit: www.duchy.ac.uk

01/06/2026

Apologies for being a little quiet on here over the last couple of weeks!
We hope everyone is enjoying half term and making the most of the fantastic weather. ☀️ It has been a busy time for Duchy MaPS, and we have plenty of updates coming your way over the next few days.
A big highlight before the break was our very successful Taster Day last Tuesday. Huge credit to everyone involved for their effort in some very hot weather — staff and learners did a brilliant job and the day went really well.
We have received some really positive feedback from attendees and parents, who said how much they enjoyed the day and how helpful it was in making decisions about the future.
The standout favourite? Our famous Mud Run of course — and in that heat, the water sections were definitely appreciated! 💪⛰️🌊
Keep an eye on the page — more updates coming soon!
💯

01/06/2026

The English Veterans Awards
2026 are open for Applications and Nominations!

⭐⭐ The English Veterans Awards 2026 are open for Applications and Nominations! ⭐

🏆 Including a New Award for 2026 - Cadet Adult Instructor of the Year 🏆

If you are or you know a veteran that's done some great things since transition to civilian life or you're a business/organisation/charity that's gone above and beyond to support our former military then get in touch!

Rewarding Veterans, Reservists and Cadet Adult Instructors from all aspects of our community including Fitness, Business and those all important volunteers who live, work or are based in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Veterans Awards CIC are very thankful to Thales Group who are our group main sponsor supporting all the Awards across the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. Our Lead Sponsor for The English Veterans Awards is CXC Ltd and In support of The Army Benevolent Fund and the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity.

The Awards will take place at the 4* De Vere Cotswold Water Park on 1st October.

Our categories are -

⭐ Role Model of the Year
⭐ The Community Award
⭐ Military Charity Fundraiser of the Year
⭐ Inspiration of the year
⭐ Entrepreneur of the Year
⭐ Employer of the Year
⭐ Lifetime Achievement
⭐ Leavers to Leader Award
⭐ Volunteer of the Year
⭐ Health and well-being Award
⭐ Reservist of the year
⭐ Veterans Group of the year
⭐ Veterans Business of the Year Award
⭐ Cadet Adult Instructor

Apply or Nominate Here👇

https://veteransawards.co.uk/english-veterans-awards/

Our overall Veterans Awards Champion will be chosen from the winners of each of the above categories.

Good luck! It's you who will act as role models for our future service leavers!



Thanks to all our sponsors -

Harlequin - Hugh James - NAFESE - Thales Group - DXC- CSPM Consultancy- Strongmind Resiliency Training Ltd - Company X Consulting, The Leadership Book- Rebecca and Tim Tomalin Reeves- Forces Support Ltd- Objective Technologies

25/05/2026

18/05/2026

Ten Tors 2026

18/05/2026

Watch, follow, and discover more trending content.

15/05/2026

The year - So Far! (Make sure you listen with the volume up!)

13/05/2026

🎉 Huge congratulations to Duchy MaPS Alumni Jack! 🎉

Jack, a former Level 3 Extended Diploma learner, has just successfully passed Air Force Basic Training at RAF Halton. He will now move on to his trade training to become a Weapons Systems Engineer.

Jack now joins over 200 Duchy MaPS alumni who are proudly serving in their chosen careers across the Armed Forces and Protective Services.

Jack said:

“If it wasn’t for the preparation I received on the course, it would have been very challenging to complete. Not only did the course greatly improve my fitness, but it also developed my confidence, resilience, teamwork, leadership and discipline. I cannot thank the staff enough.”

This is exactly what Duchy MaPS is about — preparing young people with the skills, standards, fitness, confidence and resilience needed to succeed in their chosen careers.

Well done, Jack. We are incredibly proud of you and wish you the very best as you begin the next stage of your RAF career. 👏

🚨 Want OFSTED Outstanding preparation for a career in the Military or Blue Light Services?

Apply now at: www.duchy.ac.uk

Or book onto our Taster Day on Tuesday 26th May at College, PL17 8PB.

Meet the staff, speak to current learners, take part in course activities, and experience our famous Mud Run!

12/05/2026

Fundraising Challenges June 2026

All, as we approach the end of term some of the students will be invited to participate in two physical challenges, raising money for the Royal Marines Charity.

Challenge 1 - 20th June - 47 Commando RM 12 Mile walk.

During the Normandy trip, students will be invited to accompany me as I retrace the 12 mile march that 47 Cdo RM undertook on D Day. I will be completing the walk wearing the uniform of the day.

If you are able to donate, please click on the link below;

https://www.justgiving.com/page/duchymaps?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Challenge 2 - 25th June - Royal Marines 30 miler

The Royal Marines 30-miler is the final, gruelling test in the 32-week Commando training, requiring recruits to navigate 30 miles (48 km) across Dartmoor in under 8 hours (7 hours for officers) while carrying roughly 40–45 lbs (18–20 kg) of equipment. It tests physical endurance, mental fortitude, and navigation skills, with completion leading to the coveted Green Beret.

It is the last of four main Commando tests—following the Endurance Course, 9-mile Speed March, and Tarzan Assault Course—performed during the final "Commando Week".

In recognition of their hard work and as one final challenge, members of Taff & Rory's running club will be selected to take on this ultimate physical and mental challenge.

There will be an opportunity for participant's families to see them cross the finish line at Shaugh Prior Bridge (more details will be published in due course).

If you are able to donate, please click on the link below;

https://www.justgiving.com/page/james-pearce-3?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Thank you for your support.

10/05/2026

A huge well done to our Duchy CollegeDuchy MaPS and Duchy College Sports and Outdoor Adventure NCFE Ten Tors teams for their efforts this weekend.

Our 45-mile team performed exceptionally well. After covering just under 30 miles on day one, they pushed on to complete the final 15 map miles on day two — although in reality it was closer to 50 miles on the ground across the weekend. They crossed the finish line at 1336hrs, ahead of their planned time. An outstanding achievement and a credit to themselves, their teams and the college.

Unfortunately, luck was not on the side of our 55-mile team this year. After covering around 30 miles on day one and making reasonably good progress, they were not allowed to continue this morning after slipping behind their required timescale. While it was not the result they wanted, they should still be incredibly proud of what they achieved. Ten Tors is a serious challenge, and there will be plenty of lessons learned from the experience.

Events like this test far more than fitness. They develop resilience, navigation, leadership, teamwork, decision-making, communication and the ability to keep going when things get tough. These are the qualities we are proud to see in our young people.

Well done to every learner who took part, and thank you to the British Army Army in the South West Royal Navy, event organisers, volunteers, support teams and everyone who makes Ten Tors such a fantastic event.

Real challenge. Real learning. Real achievement.

Cornwall College