Duke of Edinburgh

The Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is a life-changing experience. An opportunity to discover new hobbies and talents as well as new friendships. Students will learn and develop a variety of skills, such as self-reliance, teamwork, and leadership. In addition the DofE Award is recognised and respected by employers. This award will provide students with the opportunity to enhance their CV’s, college, university and job and apprenticeship applications.The award also helps students to push themselves physically and mentally

 

There are four sections  to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. 

Bronze Award

  • It will usually take you at least 6 months to complete the Bronze Award:
  • Volunteering Section: 3 months
  • Physical Section: 3 months
  • Skills Section: 3 months
  • Expedition Section: 2 days/1 night
  • You also must spend an EXTRA 3 months on one of the 3 sections listed above. It’s your choice which one.

Silver Award

  • It will take you at least 6 months for Silver if you’ve already achieved your Bronze, or 12 months if you’ve jumped straight into Silver.
  • Volunteering Section: 6 months
  • Physical Sections / Skills Sections: One section for 6 months and the other section for 3 months

Expedition Section: 3 days/2 nights

Program Ideas:

Duke of Edinburgh at Boldon School

Boldon School offers the DofE Award at two levels: 

  • Bronze Award (Beginning in year 9)
  • Silver Award 

The DofE Award is available to any young person, regardless of ability, gender, background.  Students will be required to commit their own time to undertake their selected activities for each section. Activities for each section require a minimum of one hour per week for the duration of the section. 

Qualified school staff run a DofE after school club weekly; to provide students with the opportunity to learn all the skills required from map reading, pitching a tent and cooking their meals. Along with this the school organises and runs practice and qualifying expeditions in different regions in the north of England. Students will need to participate regularly and show that they’re committed to their DofE during this time.

Students record their evidence for the sections online via eDofE website/app. It is their responsibility to record and submit evidence for this. The students receive a welcome pack when signing up with DofE. Which includes a discount card that can be used in many stores such as Go Outdoors and Blacks.

If you would like more information regarding the DofE Award, please contact Mr Kear. (chris.kear@boldonschool.org.uk)

How Old Do I Have To Be?

  • Bronze – for those aged 14+ years
  • Silver – for those aged 15+ years
  • If you aren’t 14 yet but are in the school year in which your peer group turn fourteen, you may be able to start a Bronze DofE programme – check with your DofE Leader.
  • Similarly, if you aren’t 15 yet, but are in the school year in which your peer group turn fifteen, you may be able to start a Silver DofE programme – check with your DofE Leader.

How Much Will it Cost?

Students will not be charged a registration fee to sign up to the DofE. The school has access to all the equipment the students will need on their expeditions, including tents, sleeping bags, walking boots and rucksacks. Students will be required to buy their own food for the practice walks and expeditions.