Duke of Edinburgh

Duke of Edinburgh

Students at Cloughwood Academy can complete two levels of the Duke of Edinburgh programme which, when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze or Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

The main differences between the awards are the minimum length of time it takes to complete them, how challenging they are and the minimum age at which students can start.

Depending on age, students are free to start at any level, but most people prefer to try for Bronze and work upwards. There are age restrictions for each one so it makes sense to build  up rather than dive in at the deep end.

Bronze Award

Students can begin the Bronze DofE programme at the age of 14.

A Bronze DofE programme has 4 sections, Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition. Students must do a minimum of 3 months activity for each of the Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections, and plan, train for and do a 2 day (1 night) Expedition.

Students also have to spend an extra three months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections.  Students must choose which one and, although they can change their mind later, should decide which section they want to do for longer at the beginning.

It will usually take at least 6 months to complete the Bronze programme.

Silver Award

Silver is the next step up from Bronze. Students need to be at least 15 to start doing the Silver DofE programme.

The Silver DofE programme has 4 sections, Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition. You need to do at least 6 months Volunteering and a minimum of 6 months on either Physical or Skills and 3 months on the other. Students can choose which one they wish to do for longer.

Students who have already completed their Bronze award can choose the same activity for Silver, but need to show development in it. It’s best to try something new!

The Expedition section involves planning, training for and doing a 3 day (2 night) expedition.

Students starting their Silver without doing Bronze will have to do an extra 6 months volunteering or doing whichever of the Physical or Skills sections they have spent more time on. Though students can change their mind later, they should decide which section you want to do for longer at the beginning.

It will take at least 6 months for Silver if Bronze has already been achieved, or 12 months if students have moved straight to Silver.

Timescales

Students have until their 25th birthday to complete whichever level they are working on and achieve an Award – but all activities must be completed before then. The tables below show you minimum timescales for each level and section. The length of time is in months – students need to show regular activity and commitment during this time of averaging at least an hour a week. It is not possible to achieve an Award in a short burst of enthusiasm.