Duke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) award, is an internationally recognised personal development programme and the world’s leading youth achievement award. It enables young people to have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence.
By taking part, you can gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as: resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, all of which enhance CV’s and applications for further education and jobs in the future! Top employers recognise the skills that award holders bring to their business.
By doing the award, students can make a difference to other people’s lives and their local community, be fitter and healthier, make new friends and have memories that will last a lifetime.
Bronze, silver and gold awards
You can do a DofE programme at one of 3 levels. When completed successfully, these can lead to a bronze, silver or gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.
There are 4 sections at bronze and silver level and 5 at gold level. They involve helping the community and environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and – for gold only – working with a team on a residential activity.
To find out more, go to DofE: sections and activities or watch the following video, Start your Bronze DofE.
How to take part
Hermitage academy is a licensed organisation for DofE programmes. Through us, you can pay for a participation place and be supported through your programme by a leader. The leader will help you choose your activities, set objectives and achieve your award. We currently have over 50 students actively securing their awards at bronze and silver level.
In Year 10, students can start their bronze award and continue to progress through the levels. We also encourage students that have never taken part in the award before, to join as a direct entry silver participant in Year 12.
Our expeditions run in partnership with Simonside Outdoor Adventure, a specialised provider, which for a competitive cost, provide training, practise and qualifying expeditions, instructors, transport, all equipment, campsite fees and assessor reports. Find out more about them here: Simonside Outdoor Adventure
Contact Mrs Ford or Mr Ward in the geography department, who will be delighted to get you started on your DofE journey.