What is the DofE all about?
A DofE programme is a real adventure from beginning to end. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from. You just need to be aged between 14 and 24 and realise there’s more to life than sitting on a sofa watching life pass you by.
Levels
You can do programmes at three levels, which when completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Sections
You achieve your Award by completing a personal programme of activities in four sections (five if you’re going for Gold) – Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition and for Gold, a Residential. You’ll find yourself helping people or the community, getting fitter,developing skills, going on an expedition and taking part in a residential activity (Gold only). The best bit is – you get to choose what you do! Your programme can be full of activities and projects that get you buzzing, and along the way you’ll pick up experiences, friends and talents that will stay with you for the rest of your life. If you need any further information, talk to Mr Pinnington or visit the The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award website at www.dofe.org
Parents/Carers Information
What is the DofE?
Since DofE began in 1956, it has been inspiring, guiding and supporting young people in their self-development and recognising their achievements.
Doing their DofE can be a life-changing adventure for your child. On the way, they will do their own exciting and challenging programme of activities to help them reach their full potential. They’ll learn new skills, help others, have fun, make new friends and gain a great sense of achievement. Employers, colleges and universities really value Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards and know what it says about someone who’s an Award holder.
For young people, a DofE programme is a real adventure from beginning to end. It doesn’t matter who they are or where they’re from. They just need to be aged between 14 and 24 and realise there’s more to life than sitting on a sofa watching life pass them by.
Young people can do programmes at three levels, Bronze, Silver or Gold, which lead to a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Young people achieve an Award by completing a personal programme of activities in four sections (five if they’re going for Gold). They’ll find themselves helping people or the community, getting fitter, developing skills, going on an expedition and taking part in a residential activity (Gold only).
The benefits
When your child does their DofE programme they’ll develop the skills and attitudes they need to become more rounded, confident adults. Qualities that colleges, universities and employers are attracted to. So when you put your backing behind your child’s pursuit of a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, you’re investing in valuable skills. Setting the tone for a lifetime of achievement.
You’ll see all kinds of new talents bloom in your child as they achieve their Award including:
- Self-belief, Self-confidence
- A sense of identity Initiative
- A sense of responsibility
- A real awareness of their strengths
- New talents and abilities
- The ability to plan and use time
- The ability to learn from and give to others in the community
- New friendships
- Problem solving, presentation and communication skills
- Leadership and teamworking skills
How long does it take?
Each section must be done for a minimum period of time for an average of an hour a week over this time. To achieve an Award your son or daughter must show persistence, commitment and personal development.
It’s not something that can be achieved through a short burst of enthusiasm one weekend! However, they may easily fit their DofE activities in around their school, college or work commitments, carrying them out in their own personal time, partly as one of a range of options in supported/core time or as an after-school or lunchtime programme. They may choose to use an activity they are already doing as a DofE activity – or go for something completely new.
The chart below shows the minimum time participants must do their programmes for, expressed in months and usually requiring a regular commitment of around an hour a week per section. Direct entrants are young people who have not achieved the previous level of Award.
Timescales
Silver (15+ years old)
Volunteering – 6 months
Physical – If physical is taken for 6 months and then skill may be taken for 3 months
Skills – If skill is taken for 6 months then physical may be taken for 3 months
* Direct entrants must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections. Direct entracts are students at silver level who have not completed their bronze DofE award.
Expedition – Plan, train for and undertake a 3 day, 2 night expedition.
Bridgewater High School Bronze Expedition Training Dates 2015/16:
The dates of the planned silver expedition weekends are as followed:
- Pre Expedition Training Day (all pupils must attend): Saturday 7th November 2015
After attending the above event your child will be allocated a place on the expedition training and assessment weekends. The following are the weekends we have planned:
- Saturday 25th June 2016 – Sunday 26th June 2016 (Silver – Training Expedition).
- Friday 1st July 2016 – Sunday 3rd July 2016 (Silver – Assessment Expedition).
Pupil Information
The next step up from Bronze… you need to be at least 15 to start doing your Silver DofE programme. If you’ve achieved your Bronze Award, Mr Pinnington may allow you to start your Silver a month or two before your 15th birthday.
A Silver DofE programme has 4 sections, Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition. You need to do at least 6 months Volunteering and a minimum of 6 months on either Physical or Skills and 3 months on the other. It’s up to you which one you do for longer.
The Expedition section involves planning, training for and doing a 3 day (2 night) expedition.
If you start your Silver without doing Bronze first you’ll have to do an extra 6 months volunteering or doing whichever of the Physical or Skills sections you have spent more time on. 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.
It will take you at least 6 months for Silver if you’ve already achieved your Bronze, or 12 months if you’ve jumped straight into Silver.