A young aspiring teacher from north Cumbria has achieved the highest award in guiding.
Chloe Harrison, of Great Corby near Carlisle, has received the Queen’s Guide Award. It takes at least three years to complete and fewer than 200 are awarded each year.
She embarked on the tough programme in 2015, going on the following year to start her BA Education Studies degree at the University of Cumbria.
Chloe, 21, has been involved in guiding since she was seven. Today she serves as a qualified leader with 1st Hayton Rainbows, Brownies and Guides.
Chloe, who hopes to start a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) later this year to qualify as a primary school teacher, said: “One of the hardest parts of the award was finding a committee to join at a regional or national level of Girlguiding. In 2017 I was lucky enough to be chosen to become the county representative for Express! Youth Forum for Girlguiding North West England. I was a rep for two years, during which I helped change the emerging Ranger programme and 18-30 offer for Girlguiding.
“I recently finished my role as chair. In 2017, I also opened up the Hayton guides so the group now has Rainbows, Brownies and Guides. We have nearly 70 girls attending all three sections, with six adults running them.”
Thanking supporters including tutors and friends at the University of Cumbria, Chloe said: “I have gained so much by doing my Queen’s Guide Award. I completed my leadership qualification, the ‘going away with scheme’ which allows me to organise holidays and sleepovers for the girls, first aid training and I also got to visit a Brownie and Guide unit in St Ignatius, Grand Cayman.
“I am so happy to have been able to complete the award whilst I’ve been working hard on my degree. I’m looking forward to getting my invitation to an award celebration in London and exploring my next step towards teaching.”
Ruth Harrison-Palmer, co-head of the university’s Institute of Education, said: “Chloe is a role model to the girls and young women she inspires in her rural community in north Cumbria. She has also demonstrated how dedicated and committed she is to her studies and in working to achieve her goals.
“Our tutors and team here at the Institute of Education wish Chloe well in her endeavours as she continues to work towards her dream of becoming a primary school teacher.”
Professor Julie Mennell, vice chancellor of the university, said: “Our warmest congratulations go to Chloe on her considerable achievement in being recognised for a Queen’s Award for guiding.
“Chloe and her family must be rightly very proud. We hope Chloe enjoys her very special award day when it comes round.”
