Duke of Edinburgh Scheme

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is a nationally recognized youth award scheme with three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold. The awards involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition.  At Thurstable your child will have the opportunity if they so choose to complete Bronze and Silver award, starting in Year 9 with Bronze, with the potential to progress to the next level in the Sixth Form.

Any young person can do 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.

It is our aim that all young people participating in the DofE Award will not only have fun, but make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence. As well as gaining essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, enhancing CVs, college, university and job applications. Top employers recognise and endorse the programme and all the attributes and skills the award brings to their business.

As part of the award students will need to complete a personal program of activities in four sections:

•   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 or   

  abroad

The expedition involves planning, preparing for and undertaking a hiking and camping expedition in the summer term, in areas such as Southwold, Danbury or Bures, with all transport and equipment being provided by the school.

You can find further information about the award on the following link DofE or visit the DofE website https://www.dofe.org/do/basicinformation