What is The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award?
The Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award is open to any young person aged 14-24. Each young person builds their own DofE programmes – picking their own activities and choosing which cause to volunteer for – in order to achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold DofE Award. The award is internationally recognised and provides students the opportunities to:
- Develop valuable transferable skills which will help to equip them for life outside of the school
- Develop teamwork and leadership skills
- Enhance their level of independence
At Bedale High School, every student has the opportunity to complete the Bronze Award and Silver Award; through participation in the DofE Award, we aim to empower students to become active citizens and positive role models in the 21st Century.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Bedale High School
We are proud to have offered the DofE Bronze at Bedale High School for the past 10 years. In 2024-25, we have 46 students participating. We also offer students the opportunity to continue on their Duke of Edinburgh experience by completing the Silver Award, should they wish.
Bronze Award
Participants may enrol for their Bronze Award at the start of Year 9, and in recent years numbers have risen to 40-50 pupils participating each year.
It will take students at least 6 months to complete the Bronze Award programme:
- Volunteering section: 3 months
- Physical section: 3 months
- Skills section: 3 months
- Expedition section: 2 days/1 night
Students also have to spend an extra three months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections; it is their choice which one, and this is decided at the beginning of the programme.
Silver Award
Participants may enrol for their Silver Award at the start of Year 10.
If students have already completed the Bronze Award, it will usually take at least 6 months to complete the Silver Award programme.
- 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
What can you gain?
We firmly believe that the DofE Award is an enormously positive experience for students, and benefits include:
- Increased self-confidence
- Independence
- Sense of responsibility
- Development of new skills
- New friendships
- Ability to lead and work as part of a team
Students who complete the Award report a strong sense of achievement and enjoyment.
In addition, the Duke of Edinburgh Award is considered equivalent to a GCSE by some, and is looked upon favourably by prospective colleges, universities and employers.
Want to find out more or get involved?
Before the start of each new programme, there will be information from Miss Wilson (DofE Coordinator) in school during tutor time about the programme and how to register interest etc. In the meantime, if further information is needed please email admin@bedalehighschool.org.uk and Mrs Wilson will get back to you.
Also, additional information about the Award can be found on the official website here.
