Duke of Edinburgh Award
Welcome to our Duke of Edinburgh page, here you will find relevant information and links to support you whilst undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
What is the Duke of Edinburgh Award?
A life-changing experience. A fun time with friends. An opportunity to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work. A recognised mark of achievement; respected by employers. The DofE is many things to many people, supporting generations to successfully navigate adult life.
14–24-year-olds can do a DofE programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.
Any young person can do their DofE – regardless of ability, gender, background, or location. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries. Through a DofE programme young people have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem, and build confidence. They gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication, and drive, enhancing CVs and university and job applications. Top employers recognise the work-ready skills Award holders bring to their business.
DofE at Belfairs
At Belfairs Academy, we offer the Duke of Edinburgh Award at Bronze level. Meaning that any pupil from Year 9 will have the opportunity to register and complete the award. Belfairs has run a Duke of Edinburgh for several years extremely successfully and look forward to welcoming many more participants in the coming years.
The ‘Expedition’ Section
This year, Belfairs has partnered with Lambourne End Activity Centre to complete the Bronze Award’s Expedition section. The dates for each year’s Training Day and 2 Day expedition are approved in advance of the initial recruitment and will be included in letters sent home to all year 9 parents at the start of the academic year. Please click HERE for further information regarding kit that Lambourne End Activity Centre provides, the qualifications of their staff, and the approximate costs of the expedition sections (prices vary for each level of award).
DofE beyond Belfairs
As we only offer D of E Bronze level awards, participants are encouraged to complete the award at Silver and Gold levels elsewhere. The best place to visit if you want to continue your Duke of Edinburgh journey after Bronze is the Southend Open Group. Please do not hesitate to contact them with any queries regarding Silver and Gold Awards.
Links to follow:
Duke of Edinburgh FAQs and Basic Information
Duke of Edinburgh Recruitment Letter 2022-2023
Duke of Edinburgh Participant Presentation
Duke of Edinburgh Parent Presentation
The Duke of Edinburgh Award Manager for Belfairs Academy is Mr North. If you have any queries, comments, or concerns please do not hesitate to contact him at enquiries@belfairsacademy.org.uk FAO: Mr North DofE.
Thank you for your support!