DOfE 2025 - 2027

Mr T Pilling

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Manager We are delighted to be able to offer the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels here at Prince Henry’s. We have a large number of pupils taking part in the Award Scheme each year and we hope that it is something you will consider taking part in.

The aim of the Award Scheme is to offer young people the chance to strive for achievement, overcome obstacles, and set their minds to a personal challenge; when you prove to yourself that you’re ready for anything, nothing can hold you back. The Founder HRH Prince Philip once said, “There is more in you than you might think” and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme can help you realise that.

Prince Phillip We want to ensure that the Award is accessible to every student here at Prince Henry’s and we have a number of schemes to help with this. From kit hire to volunteering ideas, we are always happy to help. We hope that this booklet provides you with a flavour of what the Award Scheme entails and if you have any questions, or would like any further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

There are four main sections of a DofE Award: Physical, Skills, Volunteering and the Expedition section. At Gold, you’ll also get the opportunity to take part in an exciting fifth section – the Residential.

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Physical

The section is all about improving your physical fitness. You can choose any sport, dance or fitness activity to enjoy over the required time.

Examples of activities that students at Prince Henry’s have done for their Physical include rock climbing, Zumba and hockey.

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Skill

For your Skills activity you need to choose an activity that will allow you to prove you have broadened your understanding and increased your expertise in your chosen skill. It should not be a physical activity, for example horse riding, as this counts towards your Physical section, however, you could choose to learn about caring for horses.

Examples of skills that students at Prince Henry’s have learnt include knitting, Sign Language and First Aid. •

Volunteering

This is your opportunity to make a positive impact by doing something meaningful, either in person or on online. An opportunity could be found at school, within our local community, or further afield.

Examples of Volunteering projects that students at Prince Henry’s have done include being part of Interact, helping in a local charity shop and writing letters to those in need.

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Expedition

For your Expedition section, you will need to plan, train for and complete an unaccompanied, self-reliant expedition with an agreed aim. Your expedition must be completed by your own physical efforts with minimal external intervention and without motorised assistance. Your route should also be a continuous journey.

At Prince Henry’s all of our expeditions are completed on foot. We stay local and go to The Cotswolds for the Bronze Award, visit Shropshire and The Black Mountains for the Silver Award and head up to Eryri for the Gold Award.

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Residential (Gold only)

For your Residential section you need to undertake a shared activity or specific course with people you don’t know, in a residential setting away from home and in an unfamiliar environment. Evenings are often as much a part of the experience as daytime activities.

This section offers a high degree of flexibility but it must be done with an organised group, registered charity or Approved Activity Provider. You must join it individually and not with an existing group of friends or as part of the school.

In the past, students at Prince Henry’s have completed the NCS programme, taken part in a photography course and learned to scuba dive.

BRONZE

Students complete their Bronze Award in Year 9, overseen by Miss Jackson. A Geography teacher and keen walker herself, Miss Jackson is always searching for her next adventure.

Miss J Jackson

Bronze Award Co-ordinator

It will usually take you at least 6 months to complete your Bronze programme.

• Volunteering section: 3 months • Physical section: 3 months • Skills section: 3 months • Expedition section: 2 days/1 night You also have to spend an extra three months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections. It is your choice which one and, though you can change your mind later, you should decide which section you want to do for longer at the beginning. Knowing how long you are going to do it for will help you to choose your activity and set your goals for each section.

SILVER

Students complete their Silver Award in Year 10 under the guidance of Mr Collings who, himself, has been involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme for nearly 20 years.

Mr N Collings

Silver Award Co-ordinator

It will take you at least 6 months for Silver if you have already achieved your Bronze, or 12 months if you jump straight into Silver.

• Volunteering section: 6 months • Physical and Skills sections: One section for 6 months and the other section for 3 months • Expedition section: 3 days/2 nights If you did not do Bronze, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.

VOLUNTEERING HOURS: Last year, students at Prince Henry’s spent a total of 4,108 hours volunteering. We are immensely proud of the dedication, effort and achievement that our young people make on their communities.

Volunteering Hours Certificate

GOLD

Students complete their Gold Award in the Sixth Form, coordinated by Dr Orme. Dr Orme is about to reach 20 years of service to the Award Scheme and has been an integral part of our delivery here at Prince Henry’s.

Dr J Orme

Gold Award Co-ordinator

For Gold, you will need to do your programme for at least 12 months if you have achieved your Silver Award, or 18 months if you have started at Gold level without doing your Silver – even if you have done Bronze. The big difference at Gold is that you will also complete a Residential section – staying away from home for five days and four nights doing a shared activity with people you don’t know.

• Volunteering section: 12 months • Physical and Skills sections: One section for 12 months and the other section for 6 months • Expedition section: 4 days/3 nights • Residential section: Undertake a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights.

If you did not do Silver, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.

Great things from small things grow...

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