The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
“Gold D of E gave me the opportunity to take part in something I wouldn’t otherwise have done. It challenged us as a team but we pulled together to create an experience we will never forget. I highly recommend it to everyone.”
From Year 10 onwards, girls are eligible to join the Bronze level of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme; many progress to Silver and eventually achieve their Gold Award before they leave the School.
Aim of the Award:
To provide an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development for young people, which is of the highest quality and the widest reach.
Benefits to Participants:
In taking part, participants develop:
| Self-belief | Self-confidence | A sense of identity |
| Independence – of thought and action | A sense of responsibility | An awareness of their potential |
| New talents and abilities | An understanding of strengths and weaknesses | The ability to plan and use time effectively |
| The ability to learn from and give to others in the community | New relationships | Skills including problem solving, presentation and communication |
| The ability to lead and work as part of a team |
Sections of the Awards:
There are four sections for the Bronze and Silver Awards and five for the Gold Award:
- Service – People in the Community, Uniformed Youth Organisation Leadership, Emergency/Rescue Services, Environmental Service, Safety Training
- Skills – to discover and develop practical and social skills and personal interests
- Physical Recreation – to encourage participation and improvement in physical activity
- Expeditions – to encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery by preparing for and carrying out an adventurous journey as part of a team
- Residential (Gold Award only) – to broaden young people’s experiences through involvement with others in a residential setting (eg. centres, youth hostels, sailing ships, camps).
Minimum Ages: Bronze – age 14, Silver – age 15, Gold – age 16.
