Bronze Programme

The Bronze Programme 

There are four sections of activities, including the expedition (click here to go straight to the page) . Three you complete independently, though we will be supporting you in different ways as you complete your activities in each section; Volunteering, Physical and Skill.  In all cases it can be something you are already doing, or something new.

You must spend an hour a week on each for at least three months, with one extended to six months. You can do the activities one after the other or at the same time. You can pause in holidays and start again after.

The school will help you choose activities, advise on who can assess your achievements and help you complete your e-log so you can achieve the award. This will take place in meetings after school once a week.  Many teachers are assessors of individual sections for students. You can ask them to be your assessor. If they have not done so before please refer them to the DoE team for more info.

To find out more about the different activities you can download a leaflet with some suggestions for the many different possibilities

[Here] see folder and also a helpful programme planner, to record your activities on paper. [here]  see folder click on one of the videos to help you think more about choosing activities

Volunteering at Bronze

There are all sorts of activities you can choose for volunteering. There are sometimes opportunities in school outside the timetable. Many help out with the Saturday morning Park Run in Hove Park. You could also help in an after-school club at a primary school or at a youth club or help younger students in certain situations. For more ideas watch this video here.

For a paper log to help you record your activities download here. (remember all must be recorded on your online log eventually)

Physical at bronze

Many students find this the easiest because they are already playing football of going to a dance or yoga class or climbing regularly. You can use an activity you are already doing in every case. You can also choose something new. The list of acitivits suggestions is here and a paper log is here:

Skill at bronze

There are many skills which count. Many choose cooking or drama- the school musical is a popular choice. You may be learning a musical instrument or would like to take it up. There are other possibilities; perhaps you are interested in coding or collecting, or caring for wildlife. For more ideas check out the list here

edoe log

 To receive the award, you have to keep an online log. When you register on Wise pay (link here), you will shortly after be sent a link to your school email to sign into your very own online log on the edoe website, with a unique edoe number. This will be your number throughout the award.

The advantage is your record of achievement is accessible at all times to you and the organisation who is helping you. If you ever transfer schools or to college, it can be transferred to your new college with one click and you still have access.

 In your edoe log, you enter details about what you have chosen to do, when you are starting and finishing, your goals and who your assessor is.

You can also upload evidence such as photos to show you have achieved your goals in each section. It is easy to upload photos using the edoe app (available on IOS and android)  

More details are here: how to use the edoe app

NB You cannot use the app to make changes to your log. You need to do this using a web browser.

You will also upload a photo of your assessor’s report, if written in your paper log book – or your assessor can do this online with your number by clicking this (link )

Your assessor’s report certifies that you have achieved or worked towards your goals in the timescales. You cannot obtain the award without a complete log with all assessor reports which certify your achievements, however well you know that you have done so.

To find out more about signing in to your online log watch this video here:

If you are having problems with signing in or have forgotten your password, go to this page on the DofE website:

Assessment

How does anyone know you have achieved the award? To obtain the award you must have evidence of your activities in each section of the program and an assessor report. This can be written by your assessor directly onto your log through the assessor portal. You can use this link here which you need to send to your assessor when you have completed your activities. You can also give your assessor the designated page in your paper log book which you then photograph and upload to your website once the report is written.

Your assessor can be a family friend, tutor or a teacher or coach or any responsible adult, but especially someone who knows about the activity you are doing. They do not have to watch you every time- for example if you were cooking, your assessor could be a family friend and you could keep them updated on what you have cooked and share photos etc.

Your assessor cannot be a family member

To find out more about assessment, read this information on the DofE website

https://www.dofe.org/do/assessors/#:~:text=If%20you%20are%20struggling%20to,card%20from%20your%20Welcome%20Pack.

If you are having problems finding an assessor, talk to the DofE staff at Hove Park- you can email here: thunting@hovepark.org.uk

An assessor report request model letter to email is here:

Parents: Completion guidance is here:

The expedition: new page?

The expedition is the highlight for many who do the Duke of Edinburgh award. It can be the most challenging and rewarding section. To get a flavour of an expedition watch this video [here]. It is designed to be achievable by absolutely everyone, as long as the 20 Conditions are observed, and you observe the Countryside Code (see below x2 ) expeditions are successful.

Flavour of an expedition 1 min https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b-GSGpB2pM

or these videos made by Hove Park students in previous years [here]

Blacks team work and life skills https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtMK-Zg13BE

Blacks Doe expedition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haeghnCTpKk 

At Hove Park School our expeditions are run in-house by trained staff qualified in group management in the countryside, navigation and first aid. They volunteer their time.

At Bronze, we have an expedition training programme which runs after school for 40 minutes. Details of the course are further below, with more information about planning. [Dates tbc.]

We also have a practice expedition for all students where you try out your navigation skills, campcraft and cooking, as well as have the experience of planning and walking a route, setting and breaking camp. This means that the later assessed expedition is a real opportunity to demonstrate what has been learned and achieve a successful outcome. The practice expedition is on a Friday in term time walking to and camping at a designated campsite near the South Downs.. Ity finishes Saturday morning [Date tbc]

Our assessed expeditions take place in the summer term over two days camping overnight at a campsite in the South Downs National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty. [Dates tbc]

Students are in teams of 4-7 and you walk together as a group along a route you have planned on official footpaths, using OS Maps and compass and the navigation skills you have acquired.

The staff will support you at road crossings and at check points throughout your journey to ensure safety. Staff are present at the campsite at all times, but the aim is to ensure an enjoyable experience for all with the opportunity to demonstrate responsibility and independence.  You will be carefully trained in the use of cooking equipment provided by the school. Tents are also provided.

To find out more about preparing, there are details of the kit list [here] which is only a guide, it must be stressed. More details will be sent out.

There is also a meal planner [here]; information about eating on expedition (here) and typical bronze expedition food (here).  These will be covered in the training programme.

 Route planning and training take place in after-school sessions. A copy of the programme for 2020-21 will be available here:

You can also watch these videos about navigation basics from Ordnance Survey and Glenmore Lodge training centre:

OS 8 videos on map reading

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJp4yCtYcXprknSY_FAUpWG5ZbDwHmfY7

Glenmore lodge: 7 introductory videos on navigation

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrqtph4KNo5dZfq5DIkWbPSctL6eQ_wF7

These form part of the after-school training programme.  Basic map-reading skills and navigation will be taught.