Duke of Edinburgh Award

What is the Duke of Edinburgh Award?

A life-changing experience. 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.

14-24 year-olds can do 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 uni and job applications.

How can you get involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award?

The Award operates across the world in different forms, with the aim of providing an opportunity for young people to learn new skills and develop existing interests in a non-competitive framework. It operates at three levels (bronze, silver and gold) and tests across four disciplines (Physical, Skill, Volunteering and Expedition).

At the end of Year 8, all students will be offered the opportunity to apply to complete their Bronze Award at Orsett Heath Academy. Students will work on this level of the award through Year 9.

It is at the end of this level, and when students enter Year 10, that they will then be able to progress onto the Silver level.

Further information about The Award, in general, can be found at www.dofe.org.