Duke Of Edinburgh Award
Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Gilberd School is a registered provider of this potentially life-changing award scheme experience.
What is The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme?
From the Duke of Edinburgh Website:
A fun time with friends. An opportunity to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work. A recognised mark of achievement; respected by employers. The DofE is many things to many people, supporting generations to successfully navigate adult life.
14-24 year-olds can participate in a DofE programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity. Any young person can do their DofE – regardless of ability, gender, background or location. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries. Through a DofE programme young people have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence. They gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, enhancing CVs and university and job applications.
Why do DofE?
Doing their DofE is a brilliant way for your young person to discover just how much they are capable of. It gives young people the chance to make new friends, follow their passions, learn new skills and make a difference in our community. Achieving a DofE Award is a great way to impress employers too. And it helps young people to see themselves differently and gain a new level of confidence. We always say that after taking on your DofE, you know that whatever life throws at you, you’re ready to deal with it. The DofE is non-competitive and a powerful way for every young person to build belief in themselves, whatever their background, interests and abilities.
How it works
There are three levels of DofE Award – Bronze, Silver and Gold. To achieve their Bronze Award, your young person will need to complete four sections – Volunteering, Physical, Skills and the Expedition. Young people can choose what they would like to do for the first three sections, and we will provide all the guidance and support they need. The Expedition involves spending two days and one nights in the countryside. We provide comprehensive training beforehand to ensure everyone is fully prepared and has the best possible experience. We will also be holding regular after school sessions where students can come for advice and support.
How do I join DofE at The Gilberd School?
The scheme is open to students in Years 9, 10 and 11. Due to the nature of the programme and the time required to complete the awards, The Gilberd School offers Bronze and Silver Award only.
There is a modest registration fee of £80 which parents/carers can pay via parent pay.
To find out more, contact our DofE Co-ordinators Ms Sumner, Mr Rayner and Mrs Watts: [email protected]