Duke of Edinburgh Award
Students in Year 12 have the opportunity to complete the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award (DofE).
The award is the world’s leading achievement award for young people and since 1956 over 8 million young people have participated which is now offered in more than 140 countries.
The four components of the award for Bronze are:
- Volunteering: Bronze (3 or 6 months)
- Physical: Bronze (3 or 6 months)
- Skills: Bronze (3 or 6 months),
(One section above for 6 months and the other two sections for 3 months)
- Expedition: Plan, train for and complete one Bronze: 3 day, 2 night expedition
Full details are given to participants and parents following their successful application and registration. Students will develop a range of skills including:
- Self-confidence
- Initiative
- A sense of responsibility
- A greater awareness of their strengths
- The ability to plan and use time effectively
- The ability to learn from and give back to others in the community
- Problem solving
- Presentation and communication skills,
- Leadership and team working skills.
Students are encouraged to use activities that they enjoy and find a challenge. These may include activities in which they are already taking part or as an opportunity to develop new skills and hobbies.
The DofE programme demands persistence and commitment and cannot be completed with a short burst of enthusiasm. Students will need to attend all formal after school sessions to ensure they update and complete their online DofE Account and are thoroughly prepared for the expeditions.
We hope that our students will find participation enjoyable, fulfilling and rewarding.
- For more information, please contact our School DofE Coordinator via info@stmarys.net
Key Dates for the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award 2022-2023
October 2022: Assembly presentation to Year 12 on Bronze DofE
November 2022: Student Application form returned by Thursday 24th November. Parent information letter sent out to
successful applicants. Completion of enrolment form and deposit payments made
December 2022: Formal Registration online for DofE
Completion of their e-DofE account on Skills, Physical and Volunteering and the start of these activities.
By end of March 2023: Full completion and approval on e-DofE of both the 3 month sections.
TBC: May/June 2023: Parent Meeting
By end of June 2023: Full completion and approval on e-DofE of the 6 month section
Important note: Only those participants who have fully completed two sections on e-DofE will be taking part in the expedition section
There will be a number Compulsory school timetabled sessions during the year mostly from March 2023 onwards with some repeat sessions for absent participants.
These sessions will cover First Aid, Map Reading, Menu Planning, Cooking with a Trangia, Menu Planning, Packing Rucksacks, Appropriate Clothing, Pitching Tents, Countryside and Highway Code, Health and Safety issues etc
Important Note: Participants will not be able to take part in the expedition if they have not attended these school sessions.
Assessed Expedition: All Bronze Participants
Thursday 8th June 2023: 7.00am meet for a 7.30am Depart, Training Day for Bronze
participants: Overnight camp
Friday 9th June 2023: 10.00am: Formal start of Assessed Expedition
6 Hour walk for Bronze: Overnight camp
Saturday 10th June 2023: 6 Hour walk for Bronze, Parent Pick up from St Mary’s: 6.00pm (approx)
TBC: Autumn 2023: Formal Presentation of Awards
(We will link this to an evening when Y13’s and their parents will be in school for a Parents Evening for convenience)