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Co-Curricular

The Duke of Edinburgh's Awards

In Year 9 we strongly encourage all students to get involved in the DofE programme, giving training sessions once a week on campcraft, navigation and First Aid. The training is sound preparation for the Bronze practice expedition in June, after the Year 9 examinations. All participants are closely supervised during the practice expedition, with responsible Sixth Formers or staff walking with each group.

In September in Year 10 all students are given the opportunity to undertake their bronze assessed expedition in Suffolk over two days. Pupils may choose who they walk with, and we use several camping sites in the local area. As soon as they are 15 years old, students may join the Silver programme. Silver expeditions take place in Derbyshire and the Lake District.

After their 16th birthday, pupils may begin their gold programme, with expeditions to Yorkshire and the Lake District.

There are three levels of programme you can do which, when you've successfully completed lead to a Bronze, Silver or GoldDuke of Edinburgh’s Award.

The main differences between them are the minimum length of time it takes to complete them, how challenging it is and the minimum age you can start.

Depending on your age, you are free to start at any level but most people prefer to try for Bronze and work upwards. There are age restrictions for each one so it makes sense to build yourself up rather than dive in at the deep end.

Don’t forget, you have until your 25th birthday to complete whichever level you’re working on and achieve an Award.

The table below shows the different overall age restrictions and time requirements for each level.

Mr Chris Hobson BA (Hons), PGCE
Expedition Leader and Duke of Edinburgh Awards Officer

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