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What is the Duke of Edinburgh Award?
What is the Duke of Edinburgh Award?
The Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) programme is a real adventure from beginning to end. It does not matter who you are or where you’re from. You just need to be aged between 14 and 24 and realise there’s more to life than sitting on a sofa watching life pass you by.
By doing your DofE, you're in for an amazing adventure and masses of fun as you take part in a range of activities, all leading to the achievement of an award that's recognised by universities and employers alike.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award at Smithdon High
The Duke of Edinburgh Award at Smithdon High
Welcome to a new era, as we launch the Silver Award at Smithdon!
When joining Smithdon High School I had a long term goal of having the Duke of Edinburgh Award up and running consistently in the school. Year on year we increase the numbers applying for and completing the Bronze Award and the launch of the Silver Award at Smithdon creates many new opportunities to further embed the Award into our school life.
From experience, as an Award holder myself, I know that the DofE Award is a game-changer. The perseverance and passion for long-term goals is linked to success in education, life and work. Our structured programme of volunteering, alongside skills-based and physical challenges inspires, guides and supports young people to achieve.
We believe that anything is possible and the possibilities are endless. The positive effects of the DofE programme are proven and far-reaching. Communities are enriched with passionate and driven volunteers; local colleges, sixth forms, universities and businesses benefit from work-ready, competent recruits; while young people are given the confidence to shine.
Our Vision is: To reach more young people in the local area and equip them to succeed in life.
Our Mission is: To inspire, guide and support young people in their self-development and recognise their achievements when doing the Award.
For over 10 years, Smithdon High School has supported young people in undertaking their Duke of Edinburgh Award. 2020 saw a group of students undertaking the Silver Award for the first time.
Each level of the award is completed in the following year groups:
Bronze (Year 9)
Silver (Year 10)
Students can then go on to do Gold (Year 12) – at Springwood Sixth Form Centre
We pride ourselves in the number of students that have achieved their Bronze Award and continued to do their Gold at Springwood Sixth Form College.
The first cohort of young people was organised in 2014, with six participants. This has regularly increased, with the highest being 45. We take pride in our success rate of the Award.
Beginning with no funding, local fundraising managed to secure £2000 from the West Norfolk DofE charity. This paid for licencing and also basic kit. With continued fundraising, we now have a full kit and a custom-made kit store, allowing 42 young people to take part with the loan of all the essential equipment from the school. This includes tents, waterproofs, rucksacks, roll mats, etc.
Not only do we support participants with the use of equipment, we also provide many other opportunities. To support the young people in finding activities to do for their sections we have links with local sports clubs and organisations. For example, we provide sports leader opportunities working with the local Primary schools; volunteering opportunities with local care homes and the Heritage Gardens; physical section opportunities by taking part in sports teams for the school.
We try to guide the participants and support them in all aspects of their Award: organising; making contact with organisations; enabling them to attend these activities to complete their sections. We also have staff in school who ‘mentor’ the participants by pointing them in the right direction and reminding them to do things to uphold their award.
Our huge success in the Award at Smithdon, has enabled us to deliver the Silver Award to Year 10.
Overall the Award has been a great success, but it relies on positive and supportive parents; students ‘doing their bit’ and staff and volunteers continuing to support both in Award and on expeditions. We provide mentoring for each participant and have regular contact with them at school through meetings, Goole Classroom tasks and liaising with those supporting the students with their sections.
With these three key things we see young people achieve an amazing Award that allows them to demonstrate persistence, commitment and personal development over a period of time. Completing the DofE programme equips young people for life and work – and is recognised by employers and universities alike. Through their DofE journeys, our young people develop resilience, confidence and a ‘can do’ attitude, as well as the social and communication skills that colleges, sixth forms, universities and businesses are calling out for.
I look forward to supporting as many students through each level of the award as possible at Smithdon High School.
Alysha Moat
a.moat@smithdonhigh.org.uk
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