Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
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The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (or DofE as it is fondly known by many of the people who participate in it) is an opportunity to do something different.
Students between the ages of 14 and 24 are encouraged to do things that perhaps ordinarily they would not have considered undertaking. A key point is that it is the students themselves are responsible for the planning, delivery and completion of the various activities that they have elected to do.
The Award is broken down into three ascending levels of challenge; Bronze, Silver and Gold. They do not have to be taken consecutively, and in fact people can launch themselves into Silver or Gold without having done the previous level (this is known as Direct Entry). Whether you do this, or to work progressively through is a matter for personal choice; each has its merits.
There is a lower age threshold for each section. For Bronze, students need to be aged 14. For Silver, the age requirement is 15. Those undertaking the Gold award have to be 16. For more details on each award level, please click on the links below.
The DofE website (link on the left hand side of this page) is a mine of information, and anyone thinking about the Award, or indeed, who is currently undertaking it, should view this as their first port of call.
Demanding. Stimulating. DofE is an ideal way for people to do something different, and to develop a skill set that will help them deal with the future challenges of life. Looking at the pictures from the Expeditions, it also seems to be a huge amount of fun!
If you are interested in putting yourself forward for DofE, fill in the forms that are distributed before Christmas each year, or speak directly to Mr Tiller in school.
The awards
| BRONZE AWARD | SILVER AWARD |
GOLD AWARD |
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Students need to complete four sections; Volunteering, Physical, Skills and an Expedition. For more details on what each of these entails, click on the link to the DofE official website. Each year the school runs two training expeditions (if you show that you have the requisite skills, you only need to attend one) and an assessment expedition. The expeditions are designed as a launch pad for the skills needed at this level, as well as for Silver and Gold. The expedition is completed on foot, and involves a two day journey across gently undulating terrain as well as an overnight stay in a camp site. During the training phase the groups are taught the essentials of camp management, hill safety and navigation. They are also given plenty of opportunities to put their interpersonal skills to test! Upon completion of the assessment expedition, groups then need to give a presentation or complete a log of what happened! The focus of this work can relate to wildlife observer, the impact of tourism on the natural environment, or the old favourite of team work and personal development. As ever, for more details on the Bronze award, please go to the DofE website. |
Once again, students need to complete four sections; Volunteering, Physical, Skills and an Expedition. The requirements for each section are slightly more demanding than for Bronze. For more details on what each of these entails, click on the link to the DofE official website. Each year the school runs two training expeditions (if you show that you have the requisite skills, you only need to attend one) and an assessment expedition. If you have not done the Bronze award you are called a Direct Entrant, and will need to complete BOTH training expeditions as well as the assessed expedition The expedition can be completed on foot, on mountain bike or even in a canoe (depending on the degree of interest expressed). The expedition will be over three days and two nights, and once again the groups will be self-sufficient as they need to cook and look after themselves. Similar to Bronze, the groups will subsequently need to give a presentation on their journey, or complete and hand in a log of events. As ever, for more details on the Silver award, please go to the DofE website. |
The usual sections need to be completed; Volunteering, Physical, Skills and an Expedition, but students also need to do a 5 day Residential course. The requirements for each section are slightly more demanding than for Silver. Each year the school runs two training expeditions (if you show that you have the requisite skills, you only need to attend one) and an assessment expedition. If you have not done the Silver award you are called a Direct Entrant, and will need to complete BOTH training expeditions as well as the assessed expedition The expedition can be completed on foot, on mountain bike or even in a canoe (depending on the degree of interest expressed and relevant previous experience). The expedition will be over four days and three nights, and once again the groups will be self-sufficient as they need to cook and look after themselves. There may also be a requirement to spend at least one night in a wild camp (depending on local conditions). If the expedition is completed on foot, it tends to be staged in the rugged and demanding environment of Snowdonia in North Wales. Similar to Silver, the groups will subsequently need to give a presentation on their journey, or complete and hand in a log of events. As ever, for more details on the Gold award, please go to the DofE website. |
The Bronze level of the Award is the traditional point of entry into the scheme, and many people in the Thirds and above become involved at this point.
The Silver level of the Award is a natural continuation from Bronze, but students may also start their journey into the scheme here as Direct Entrants. People generally start Silver in the Fourth year or above.
The Gold level of the Award is the culmination of the previous two levels, but students may also start their journey into the scheme here as Direct Entrants. You have to be aged 16 or over in order to register for Gold.