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.
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh - Year 9
The bronze DofE award is the most important award to take away from school apart for GCSEs. You can find out more here:
The Bronze DofE award is made up of 4 parts. Three of these-volunteering, a physical activity and a skill, you complete independently, though we can help you to achieve them.
The fourth- the expedition, you complete with the school after training in the summer term 2026 on the South Downs. Find out about
the sections here.
How it works at Hove Park
5 steps to your Bronze DofE award, badge and certificate
- Choose your
activities.
- Log your weekly activity for at least one section in your booklet in tutor. A PDF of the booklet used in tutor is
available here.
- If you complete one section in the booklet you will get an eDofE account in January, you need this to complete the award.
- Complete all three sections, you need to log evidence and get activities signed off by an assessor in each section of your eDofE log. Find out how the
eDofE log works here
- Complete the expedition! Find out about the
kit list here.
There are useful resources here:
Resources for Participants - The Duke of Edinburgh's Award
For enquiries email Mr Hunting at
thunting@hovepark.org.uk
FAQs
Why do we use a booklet for the Autumn term in Hove Park- no other school does?
Completing at least one section in the paper booklet in the Autumn demonstrates to us you have the commitment to complete the award. We will buy everyone committed to completion a place in January. We want this to be accessible to everyone and for everyone to achieve.
We will not buy you a place unless we are confident you will complete the award so start your booklet asap.
What activities can I do?
The activities must match the sections, but you can use things you do now- just set particular goals. Look through the range of activities in the document here.
How do I find an assessor?
They must be an adult but cannot be family.
They do not have to see you do the activities or be an expert in it, though you will have to explain your goals and what you did so they can write an accurate report.
Coaches and teachers are ideal assessors, as are family friends.
You could also pair up with another student and get your respective parents to write assessors reports for each of you! A pro forma email to notify your assessor is here:9 see attachment
The assessor portal link is here. Alternatively, assessors can write in the DofE log book you are sent on activating your edofe account. A link is here.
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.
