Duke Of Edinburgh Award

“I wanted to give up so many times, but my group supported each other through. We have made lifelong memories that I will never forget. I would highly recommend the award to everyone!”

What is it?

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a programme which empowers young people; to support them as they learn new skills, overcome obstacles, and build confidence and resilience. It is highly valued by Universities and employers as it shows a commitment to being a responsible proactive member of the community. 

What we offer at Springwest 

Bronze Award - to Year 10 
Silver Award - to Year 11 

All training sessions for the awards take place over the school year with both theory and practical activities to prepare them for their final expedition in which they travel by foot on a planned route and camp overnight. 

What do the students need to do?

• Students commit themselves to 4 Sections for a set time period (3 or 6 months for 1 hour a week): 
• Volunteering: undertaking service to individuals or the community
• Physical: improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities
• Skills: developing practical and social skills and personal interests
• Expedition: planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey in the UK. 

Bronze expedition - 2 days and 1 night 

Silver expedition - 3 days and 2 nights

Suggested activities for each section can be found on the Duke of Edinburgh Website. Your child can use Co-curricular activities that take place at school as an option for one of their sections. 

Your child will need to log the hours of their Sections as they are completing them and can use this Activity Log to do so.  They can also directly upload their evidence onto the DofE App which they will have a login for when they sign up. 

Expedition

Students are required, as part of their award, to take part in an overnight expedition, as above. Expeditions take place during the following months, in the following areas:

What equipment does my child require?

We loan students the majority of equipment that is required for the expeditions e.g. a tent, a rucksack, cooking equipment etc but you are required to provide walking boots and a sleeping bag (a kit list will be provided if your child opts to take part in the Award).