Duke of Edinburgh Award

Droylsden Academy are pleased to offer students the chance to complete the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE). The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a youth awards programme founded in the United Kingdom in 1956 by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The awards recognise young people for completing a series of self-improvement exercises. The programmes are at three progressive levels which, if successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

With assistance from in school staff Leaders, students are able to select and set objectives in each of the following areas:

• Volunteering: undertaking service to individuals or the community.
• Physical: improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities.
• Skills: developing practical and social skills and personal interests.
• Expedition: planning, training for, and completion of an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad.
• At Gold level, participants must do an additional fifth Residential section, which involves staying and working away from home for five days, doing a shared activity.

To achieve an award, students must work on each section for a minimum period of time, and they will be monitored and assessed by staff. Each progressive level demands more time and commitment from participants: Bronze 3–6 months; Silver: 6–9 months; Gold: 12–18 months. Students are required to show regular activity and commitment to the award for the duration of their DofE programme, which is usually at least one hour per week.

Full details of the award can be found at:

SKILLS

The aim is to encourage the development of practical, social skills and personal interests.

BENEFITS FOR THE PARTICIPANT:

• Develop practival and social skills
• Meet new people
• Organise and manage time
• Discover how to research information
• Set and respond to a challenge
• Work with others
• Enjoy sharing
• Discover new talents

VOLUNTEERING (SERVICE)

The aim is to encourage service to individuals and to the community.

BENEFITS FOR THE PARTICIPANT

• Make a personal contribution
• Appreciate the needs of others and contribute to their well-being
• Trust and be trusted
• Understand personal strengths and weaknesses
• Increase self-esteem
• Overcome prejudice and fears
• Generate positive action in the community
• Accept responsibility

PHYSICAL RECREATION

The aim is to encourage participation and improvement in physical activity.

BENEFIRS FOR THE PARTICIPANT

• Enjoy keeping fit
• Improve fitness
• Discover new abilities
• Raise self-esteem
• Extend personal goals
• Set and respond to a challenge
• Experience a sense of achievement

EXPEDITIONS

The aim is to encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery.

BENEFITS FOR THE PARTICIPANT

• Plan and execute a task
• Demonstrate enterprise and imagination
• Work as a member of a team
• Respond to a challenge
• Develop self-reliance
• Develop leadership skills
• Recognise the needs and strengths of others
• Make decisions and accept the consequences
• Reflect on personal performance
• Enjoy and appreciate the countryside