The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an outstanding mark of achievement for a young person. It is probably the most widely recognised Award by employers and universities as a sign of a number of social skills, resilience, responsibility and a balanced approach to life and learning.
In year 9 we offer the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. Students complete four sections. It is made up of three sections completed independently: a physical activity, volunteering, a 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. You can do the activities one after the other or at the same time. However, 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.
Each section needs an assessor. This can by any adult, except a family member. Many teachers are assessors of individual sections for students.
The school oversees the expeditions and training. The Bronze practice and assessed walking expeditions take place in the Summer term. The dates are to be confirmed. All expeditions take place nearby on the South Downs.
Silver Duke of Edinburgh - Year 10
In Year 10 we offer the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award. Students can enter straight to Silver, without having completed Bronze, or continue from Bronze. The Silver Award is made up of three sections completed independently: a physical activity, volunteering and a skill. For all sections, this can be something students already do, or something new, each practised once a week, one for three months and the other two, one of which must be volunteering, for 6 months. Directly entering students complete a longer time in one section than those progressing from Bronze, but it is practical for all candidates to complete before GCSE exam pressures begin. School will help identify possible activities, advise on who can assess the achievements and help students complete their e-log so they can complete achieve the Award. Many teachers are assessors of individual sections for students.
The school oversees the expeditions and training for students. The Silver practice walking expedition will take place Thursday to Saturday 23rd- 25th April in the Ashdown Forest and the Silver assessed walking expedition takes place in September in Year 11 in the New Forest (dates tbc).
The cost is £145, for registration, which we must pay to the DoE, and expedition costs which include coach travel.
The awards are presented in March in Year 11 2020-21.
Gold Duke of Edinburgh - Year 12
In Sixth Form we offer the Gold Award. Students can enter straight to Gold, without having completed Silver, or continue from Silver. The Gold Award is made up of the usual three sections completed independently: a physical activity, volunteering and a skill. For all sections, this can be something students already do, or something new, each practised once a week for either 12 months or 6 months, with an extension required if you are a direct entrant to Gold.
The school will help identify possible activities, advise on who can assess their achievements and help students complete their e-log so they can complete and achieve the Award.
In addition, candidates undertake a residential for 5 days/ four nights, taking part in an activity with people they do not know and will also complete their Gold expedition in more demanding terrain. NCS may be an example of an organisation to facilitate this. Students will need to find a suitable provider for an expedition and training for them. Expeditions will take place usually in Snowdonia or the Lake District. School may be able to offer some additional experience of the terrain through trips.
The cost is £25 for registration. There will be additional costs incurred for the residential and expeditions.
The Awards are presented annually.
