Duke of Edinburgh's Award
What is the DofE
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.
The DofE is many things to many people, supporting generations to successfully navigate adult life.
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. Biddick Academy run Bronze level.
There are four sections to complete at Bronze level. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition.
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, teamworking, communication and drive, enhancing CVs and university and job applications.
Bronze timescales
It will take you at least 6 months to complete your Bronze award.
– Volunteering section: 3 months
– Physical section: 3 months
– Skills section: 3 months
– Expedition section: 2 days/1 night
You also have to spend an extra three months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections.The 3-month sections will be completed across November/ December/ January, as outlined during recruitment. It’s your choice which one and, though you can change your mind later, you should decide which section you want to do for longer at the beginning. Knowing how long you’re going to do it for will help you to choose your activity and set your goals for each section.
In order to progress towards the expedition training from January, students must have completed the following:
- Uploaded 8 pieces of evidence for each section. They will then be able to add more for their chosen 6-month section.
- Students can access support during lunchtimes throughout the academic year in L018, if required.
The expedition takes place at the end of the academic year, a date will be confirmed as soon as possible. Students must have completed all other sections, inclusive of assessor reports, to be eligible for the expedition.
How to sign up?
Recruitment takes place for students at the start of Year 10.
What happens once I’ve signed up?
Students will attend a registration session in which they will receive a link to their eDofE account. This is where progress is logged through the DofE programme and where assigned Leader checks and approves completed activity in each section. Once their eDofE profile is set up they will be sent a Welcome Pack with lots of helpful information and personalised DofE Card to access discounts and offers on expedition kit and other items.
Then, can start choosing what activities they want to do and decide goals with their leader. Once assessors have been chosen and your Leader has approved plans, ready to get going with your activities.
Useful information
Sections https://www.dofe.org/do/sections/
Ideas for activities https://www.dofe.org/do/ideas/
Supervision https://www.dofe.org/do/supervision/
Activity logs https://www.dofe.org/do/activitylogs/
Choosing Assessors https://www.dofe.org/do/assessors/
DofE App https://www.dofe.org/do/app/
If you have any further queries, please free to contact me on b[email protected]