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
Gold (16+ years old)
Volunteering – 12 months
Physical – If physical is taken for 12 months and then their skills section may be taken for 6 months
Skills – If skill is taken for 12 months and then their physical section may be taken for 6 months
*Direct entrants must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.
Expedition – Plan, train for and undertake a 4 day, 3 night expedition.
Residential – Undertake a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights.
Pupil Information
We enrol for the gold level of the programme in Appleton College, usually in the September of year 12.
You’ll spend 12 months on your Volunteering section. For Physical and Skills you must spend 12 months on one and six months on the other – you decide which way round you do it.
Your expedition will be for four days and three nights (plus an acclimatisation day) and will take place in ‘wild country’.
The big difference at Gold is you’ll also do a Residential section – staying away from home for five days and four nights doing a shared activity with people you don’t know. It’s great fun and a real chance to do something different!
If you’ve jumped straight into your Gold DofE programme you’ll need to do a further six months either volunteering or whichever one of your physical or skills activities you spent the most time on.
For Gold, you’ll need to do your programme for at least 12 months if you’ve achieved your Silver Award, or 18 months if you’ve started at Gold level without doing your Silver – even if you’ve done Bronze.
