Duke of Edinburgh
What is the DofE?
The DofE is a great chance for your child to broaden their horizons, discover new interests and talents, have fun with friends, develop essential skills for their future and achieve an internationally renowned Award. The DofE is non-competitive and open to all young people – it's about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.
Through their DofE, students will make friends, memories and build their confidence, resilience, and independence. Participants gain skills and attributes for work and life, like problem-solving, team-working and self-motivation – and they’ll achieve an Award that is recognised by employers and can help them stand out when applying for university or jobs.
Duke of Edinburgh Award - What is involved?
At The Piggott School, we offer the Bronze award scheme to Year 9 students and the Silver award scheme in Year 10. Both the Bronze and Silver award requires the participants to commit to a range of extra-curricular activities which are assessed in four sections: Skills, Volunteering, Physical and Expedition.
Every young person’s DofE programme is personal to them – they choose one activity per section (Skills, Volunteering and Physical), most activities can count. Students can either choose to continue an activity they already do or discover something new, and they will receive guidance and support from their DofE Leader. It is the parent/carer responsibility to check that any activity the participant undertakes for their DofE programme, is appropriately managed and insured. Unless the activity is directly managed or organised by the Piggott School.
The DofE requires commitment and perseverance. Activities for each section (skills, volunteering and physical) take a minimum of one hour a week over a set period of time, so they can fit around studying, hobbies and social lives. Once complete, they will have shown their progress, commitment, and dedication for their chosen activities. The timelines are as seen below:
Bronze:
– Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections: One section for 6 months and the other sections for 3 months
– Expedition section: 2 days/1 nights
Silver:
– 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
*If they haven’t completed Bronze, they must undertake a further 6 months (12 months total) in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.
Why do the DofE?
By working towards your DofE Award, you will have fun, make friends, improve yourself-esteem and build confidence. You will gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, enhancing CVs and uni and job applications.
How do I get involved in the DofE?
For more information about the DofE Award offered at The Piggott School, please contact doe@piggottschool.org
For more detail about the DofE course in general, visit The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (dofe.org)
Ella, Year 10 competing in a running event to contribute towards her Silver DofE Certificate.
Louis, Year 10 completing his Bronze DofE Certificate and taking part in a football competition
Fred, Year 10 Litter picking as part of his Silver DofE Certificate
Joshua, Year 10 - on finishing a course in Learning the Christian Religion for Volunteering