Duke of Edinburgh's Award

Participation in DofE is often life-changing. As well as offering young people aged 14 to 24 the chance to try out new interests, discover hidden talents and have fun with friends, DofE provides numerous opportunities to develop skills that are essential for success in work and in life, and to achieve an Award that is recognised and respected around the world.

Operating at three levels – Bronze, Silver and Gold – each Award requires participants to help in the community or environment; become fitter; develop new skills; and plan, train for and complete an expedition. Gold participants also work with a team on a residential activity. 

DofE is a personal challenge - there is no competition between participants. Achieving an Award is a mark of each individual participant’s success in pushing their own boundaries. Along the way, young people have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence. They gain skills and attributes including resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive. All are essential to success in adult life.

There are four sections to the award at Bronze and Silver level. These are:

• Service: Volunteering in the local or school community
• Skills: Learning new or developing existing skills
• Expedition: Plan, train for, and complete two adventure expeditions
• Physical Recreation: Usually completed through our sport programme

At Gold level, there is an additional fifth requirement

• Residential: Spend time away from home on a shared activity

Progression through the scheme is as follows:

In Year 9, students commence the Skill and Sport elements of the Bronze DofE Award, and complete their practice expedition.

In the Autumn Term of Year 10, students commence the Service and Expedition elements through formally joining either the CCF or DofE programme, and continue with their Skills and Sports, with the aim of completing the whole Bronze Award by Christmas.

From the Spring Term of Year 10 onwards, students who opt to continue with DofE will work on the Silver Award, with the aim of completing this by the end of Year 11. Again, this can either be done within the CCF or through a separate DofE programme.

In the Sixth Form, students have the opportunity to tackle the Gold Award.