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What actually is the Duke of Edinburgh Award?

Here at Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School we are pleased to offer the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme to students in Year 9 at Bronze Level and students in Years 10 and onward for Silver. But what actually is it?

The Duke of Edinburgh award program presents a thrilling opportunity for young individuals aged 14 to 25 worldwide, encouraging them to engage in selfless acts of volunteering, acquiring fresh or developing existing skills, taking part in physical activities and experiencing adventure. 

All three levels of the award, Bronze, Silver and Gold, are a fun and rewarding experience which helps young people learn skills that will last a lifetime such as independence, resilience, determination and team building but also allows them to develop interpersonal skills and forge new friendships. These accomplishments hold esteemed recognition in the realms of both further education and employment, with universities and employers looking favourably towards candidates who have completed the award at any level.

By the end of it, students will have completed a period of time where they will be volunteering, physically active and learning a new skill as well as planning and taking part in two expeditions – a practice and an assessed expedition. Bronze expeditions consist of 2 days walking and 1 night camping whereas Silver is 3 days walking and 2 nights camping. More information on the timescales can be found in the Bronze and Silver Tabs or on the link below: https://www.dofe.org/do/timescales/

So, who can do the Duke of Edinburgh Award at Chatham & Clarendon? 

Any young person can do their DofE – regardless of ability, gender, background or location. In Term One of Year 9 you will have your introductory assembly for the Bronze Award and in Year 10 and beyond, you will be eligible to sign up for the Silver Award, regardless of whether you have completed the Bronze Award or not.

Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.

Where do you complete the award?

Students will have weekly training sessions either at lunch time or after school on the school site and will be taught all the skills necessary to complete the award. These include tent pitching, camp craft, map reading and navigation, cooking, bag packing and first aid. 

The expeditions take place in a variety of locations across Kent; Ross Wood Campsite, Herne, and Hamlet Wood Campsite, Coxheath, for the Bronze Awards and Hope Hill Campsite, Meopham, and Adamswell Campsite, Tonbridge Wells, for the Silver Awards.

If you require any more information about the Duke of Edinburgh Award, please email Mr A Topping at atopping@ccgrammarschool.co.uk or click the following link: https://www.dofe.org/do/what/