DofE

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is the world’s leading youth achievement scheme. The Awards are a voluntary non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities. The aim is to challenge young people to engage in a variety of different activities to allow them to reach their full potential and cultivate personal growth and community involvement along the way.

The Awards are designed to support the personal and social development of young people, regardless of gender, background or ability. It offers an individual challenge and encourages young people to undertake exciting constructive, challenging and enjoyable activities in their free time. Furthermore, many organisations such as employers and universities value the Award and what it says about the person who has achieved it.

There are three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. For each one, students need to complete activities in four different sections, Volunteering, Skills, Physical and Expeditions, with the length of time required to complete the respective sections increasing at each level. At Gold level, you are also required to take part in a residential project.

Elizabeth College has a longstanding tradition of facilitating the Duke of Edinburgh Award for students in Year 9 to Year 13. The Award has now been running at the College for over 55 years. The College offers both Bronze and Gold schemes and has strong uptake across both Awards.

Students can start their Bronze Award at the beginning of the school year in which they turn 14 years old. As such all Year 9 students are offered the chance to sign up to the Bronze Award at the beginning of the year. Throughout the year they will undergo training as part of their Friday Activities sessions, which they complete as part of a rotation of different activities. They then have the opportunity to complete their DofE Bronze Qualifying Expedition in Investigation & Discovery week. Similarly, students can begin the Gold Award in the school year in which they turn 16 years old. At this level the Award demands more independence and as such students are expected to complete their Award with minimal input from staff. Here they are also required to complete further training expeditions in more challenging environments. Previous expeditions have taken place in Snowdonia, Dartmoor & Brecon Beacons.

Upon successful completion, students are recognised for their achievement through a presentation ceremony at the College, where they are given a badge and certificate to commemorate their achievements. At Gold level, students are invited to a presentation ceremony at one of the Royal Palaces in London where they are presented with their badges by a member of the Royal Family.