The Peak Assessor Network (new title for the Peak Expedition Panel as from 31/3/08) is a group of over 60 volunteer Network members, all keen hillwalkers and accredited assessors, who are interested in assisting young people to undertake their Award ventures successfully in the Peak District. The Peak Assessor Network is one of the Assessor Networks (previously known as Wild Country Panels) in the United Kingdom which have been established by the Award to advise on ventures undertaken in their areas. Our key tasks are to ensure that the standards of the Award are being met, that local knowledge is passed to Teams coming into the area, and that the relationship between Award Teams and locals remains amicable.

The Peak Assessor Network mainly assesses Gold teams but will consider requests for Silver teams and occasionally Bronze. The Award pays a small allowance for expenses incurred by assessors in the case of Gold assessments, but the Peak Assessor Network has to make a charge for Bronze and Silver assessments. Charges for 2008 are £15.00 for a Bronze Team and £20.00 for a Silver Team. An invoice is sent once an assessor has come forward following receipt of the 'Request for Assessment' form by the Peak Assessor Network. Please note that multiple assessments may prove difficult to meet, especially in the summer, and that Gold Teams will always take priority. You are advised to talk closely with your Operating Authority about alternative arrangements should we not be able to meet your request.

As one of the larger Expedition Areas, we receive approximately 650 notifications a year for the Dark Peak, and meet about 150 requests for assessment. It is estimated that we reach out to about 3000 further Teams coming into Normal Country in the Southern section of the National Park. With limited resources and hours in the day, we are busy and struggle to cope with incomplete (only one copy for example) and late notifications. Missing information and lateness will jeopardise your chances of an Expedition reference number, and certainly an assessor being allocated in the case of a request for assessment.

The Peak Assessor Network may be able to help you with more detailed information relating to specific expeditions; for example those involving special needs, cycling or requiring specialised local knowledge. Please contact the Peak Expedition Co-ordinator (new title for the Panel Co-ordinator).

The Peak Assessor Network is funded in partnership with Derbyshire County Council, the Peak District National Park Authority and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Because of this partnership, the role of Peak Expedition Co-ordinator also includes responsibilties to Derbyshire County Council and to the National Park Authority. The Peak Expedition Co-ordinator works part-time but will be your first point of contact with the Peak Assessor Network.

The Peak Assessor Network operates throughout the whole of the Peak District National Park and over much of Derbyshire. In some places responsibility extends outside the boundaries of the National Park - for example the Southern Pennines up to the M62. For this reason we include information in both our training and Information Pack to help plan expeditions in the Dark Peak District area and the White Peak District area (Normal Country) along with some information on areas to the east and west of the Park. Some suggested campsites, for example, are situated a little outside the boundaries of the Park.

The Peak Expedition Co-ordinator welcomes all suggestions to extend and improve the information contained on this website.

Please email us.