Bronze at Birkdale is set in our National Park, the mighty Peak District.  Students are offered the opportunity to join after they have completed the S3 Camp, which is not a DofE activity but does have many of the attributes of expedition life.  This way students can make better informed decisions about whether they want to take on the Duke of Edinburgh Award or not.

The Bronze Award is an entry level for students in S3.  They only need to complete a Qualifying expedition, which we do locally in the Hope Valley.  Helping to keep the cost of the Bronze Award low.

• Registration to the Award and access to DofE resources.

• eDofE set up and training.

• In school sessions to facilitate all sections of the award; volunteering; skill; physical and expedition.

• After school route planning sessions.

• 2 day and 1 night Qualifying expedition in the summer. 

Bronze Qualifying Expedition 

Expedition Location = Peak District

Date = Sunday 21st, Monday 22nd, June 

Cost = £60

Silver is a brilliant award in its own right and a fantastic development stage for the teenage adventurer.  However, at Birkdale we find ourselves involved in so many adventures that it is hard to choose which ones to do.  For 2025 to 2026 we have decided that we will be aiming to diversify our adventures, offering new and unique experiences to satisfy those wanting to explore.

Therefore, for those students wishing to complete their Silver DofE Award we can help to set up accounts for the award and be available to give advice.  Students can register for the award through the DofE Manager, Mrs Hidden.

Students will then work independently to complete their sections, including the expedition section which we recommend they carry out with Adventure Expeditions, the outside provider we work with across Outdoor Education at Birkdale. Adventure Expedition offer 'Open Expeditions' which students can sign up individually or with friends.  The advantage of this approach to  Silver is it allows students to consider a range of expedition options.

Please contact the school DofE manager if you need further details or to register for the award.

The Gold Award at Birkdale spans the two year sixth form cycle, signing up at the beggining of L6 and then completing the Qualifying expedition after the A-Level exams have finished.  This provides more time to complete all sections, removes pressure during exam times and acts as a something fun to look forwward to post exams.

The expeditions go to two national parks to increase the adventurous component and better equip our students for the level of the award.  Snowdonia National Park and the Lake District National Park are wonderful places to hike and test out those expedition skills.  The cost is split, paying for the Practice Expedition at the end of L6 and the Qualifying Expedition at the end of U6.

• Registration to the Award and access to DofE resources/eDofE set up and training: 

• In school sessions to facilitate all sections of the award; volunteering; skill; physical and expedition: 

• 1 day training with Birkdale staff in Hathersage during the last week, before the May half term.

• 3 day 2 night practice expedition, to develop the appropriate skills for an independent qualifying expedition 

• 4 day 3 night qualifying expedition, including assessment, with qualified assessors: 

• Return coach transportation to and from the expedition: 

Gold Practice Expedition 2026 (L6)  (includes Gold Sign up pack)

Dates: Thursday 14th, Friday 15th and Saturday 16th May

Location: Snowdonia – Llanberis area

Transport: School coach (very early start)

COST £290

Gold Qualifying Expedition 2026 (U6)

Dates: Tuesday 7th to Saturday 11th July

Location: Lake District – Keswick area

Transport: School coach (leaving after school on Tuesday 7th)

COST £320