Duke of Edinburgh
Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Duke of Edinburgh is 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. 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 job applications. Top employers recognise the work-ready skills Award holders bring to their business.
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.
Click here for further information on the Duke of Edinburgh Award Programme and to access resources provided by the DofE.
At Burnt Mill Academy we offer the Bronze Award to students in Year 9 & 10 and the Silver Award to students in Year 10.
Bronze & Silver Awards
There are four sections to complete. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning and training for and completing an expedition. Click here for a list of programme ideas.
Students are invited to register their interest by paying the enrolment fee of £40 in the June/July of Year 8 or 9, so that they can begin their award on return in September/October.
From October to April students should aim to complete all three sections of their personal plan for three months. Students should spend one hour per week on the Physical Development, Skill Development and Volunteering elements, so a commitment of three hours a week is required.
The Bronze Award requires two sections to be completed over 3 months and one section to be completed over 6 months.
The Silver Award requires two sections to be completed over 6 months and one section to be completed over 12 months (unless they progress from a completed Bronze Award onto the Silver Award, these timescales will be reduced by 6 months).
From February Half term until the Expedition, we run Expedition training day at school covering First Aid, Map Reading, Kit and Packing, Tents and Cooking on Trangias. In May/June students take part in their Assessed Expedition.
Bronze Expeditions will cost around £60. Silver Expeditions will cost between £100-150. We provide financial support to students who are eligible for Free School Meals.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a great opportunity for our students to get involved in something new, volunteer in our community and to develop the skills to be active citizens in the wider world.
Key Events throughout the Academic year:-
June/July (Year 8/9) – Enrolment Payment
September (Year 9/10) – Place Secured & Programme started
January (Year 9) – 3 month point - Earliest 3 Month Section Completion Date
February (Year 9/10) – Expedition Training Begins (Dates for Expedition made public)
March (Year 9/10) – 6 month point – Earliest 6 Month Section Completion Date
May/June (Year 9/10) – Assessed Expeditions