Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is a voluntary and non-competitive programme for young people aged 14-24. It’s about enabling every person to challenge themselves, regardless of their background or any barriers they may face. Taking part in DofE is a fantastic way to learn new skills, help your community, and boost your confidence, all while embarking on unforgettable adventures.
At KWS, we are proud to offer all three levels of the DofE Award: Bronze, Silver, and soon, Gold!
What is the Duke of Edinburgh Award?
The DofE programme is a personal challenge, not a competition against others. It’s about setting your own goals and achieving them with dedication and perseverance. The award is recognised by universities and employers alike, demonstrating your commitment, resilience, and a wide range of transferable skills.
The Four Sections
Each level of the DofE Award requires you to complete four sections:
Volunteering: Get involved in your community and make a positive impact. This could be anything from helping at a local charity shop to coaching a junior sports team.
Physical: Improve your fitness and health through sports, dance, or any other physical activity.
Skills: Discover and develop a new talent or improve an existing one. Learn to play an instrument, master a new language, or hone your photography skills.
Expedition: Plan, train for, and complete an adventurous journey in a team. This is often the most memorable part of the DofE, involving hiking, camping, and navigating in the great outdoors.
At Gold level, there’s an additional fifth section:
Residential: Spend five days and four nights away from home on a shared activity with people you don’t know. This is a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and meet new people.
DofE at KWS
Bronze Award – Year 9
Our Bronze DofE programme is open to all students in Year 9. This is a fantastic introduction to the award, allowing you to develop new skills and experience the thrill of expedition planning.
- Minimum Time Commitment: 3-6 months
- Sections: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition
- Expedition: 3 Training evenings, a training day and qualifying expedition (2 days, 1 night)
Silver Award – Year 10
For students in Year 10, we offer the Silver DofE award. Building on the Bronze experience, Silver offers a deeper challenge and further opportunities for personal growth and adventure.
- Minimum Time Commitment: 6-9 months (if you’ve completed Bronze) or 12 months (if direct entry)
- Sections: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition
- Expedition: 1 training day, 1 practice expedition (2 days, 2 nights), 1 Qualifying Expedition (3 Days, 2 nights)
Gold Award – Year 12
We are excited to announce the launch of our Gold DofE programme for Year 12 students this academic year! This is the highest level of the award and a truly remarkable achievement, offering an even greater challenge and the addition of the Residential section.
- Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months (if you’ve completed Silver) or 18 months (if direct entry)
- Sections: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition, Residential
- Expedition: 1 training day, 1 practice expedition (2 days, 2 nights), 1 Qualifying Expedition (4 Days, 3 nights)
UCAS
A DofE Award is an enormously valuable achievement and is recognised and valued by colleges and universities worldwide. Emphasising the importance of highlighting the activities you have undertaken as part of your DofE programme on your UCAS or college application form, tells the institution that you have an ambitious and positive attitude as well as a range of interests.
Many top universities are now looking for much more than good grades and extra-curricular activities; they are interested in young people who can evidence a genuine and committed interest in their desired area of study.
Employability
In addition to literacy and numeracy skills, the UK Commission for Employment and Skills and the CBI define the skills and attitude that make someone employable as:
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Team working
- Communication
Having a positive attitude is also an incredibly important attribute in every industry, from customer relations to construction.
A ‘can do’ approach underpins success in working life by helping you to be resilient and adapt to changing situations around you.
DofE programmes help participants to develop each and every one of these attributes and skills – although they might not realise it.
For further information about the Award, go to www.dofe.org.
If you have any queries about DofE at Katherine Warington, please contact please contact Mrs Freeman and Mrs Eyley at dofe@kwschool.co.uk