DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD
At Oaklands Catholic School the Duke of Edinburgh Award is run by a group of volunteers; led by Mrs Hoar, now retired, who is a former teacher at the school and currently a Governor. Mrs Hoar is supported by a team of dedicated people, including teaching staff, support staff and parents, who have all undertaken appropriate D of E training including Safeguarding and have the necessary DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) checks in place.
The Award is a voluntary programme which can be undertaken at three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. It is designed to be a personal challenge for the participants and each participant’s programme is ‘tailor made’ to reflect their individual interests and abilities. The Award is divided into four sections at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold level. Participants select and set aims/goals in each of the following areas:
Volunteering: undertaking service to individuals or the community.
Physical: improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities.
Skills: developing practical and social skills and personal interests.
(Two of the above sections are undertaken for a minimum of three months and one must be undertaken for six months. Activities must be undertaken regularly i.e once a week, once a fortnight for the equivalent of an hour a week)
Expedition: planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey
Students will be assisted in planning what to do for the volunteering, physical and skills sections of their Award but will be expected to use their own initiative and time to complete these. The training for the expedition section will be undertaken by qualified staff on specific dates, attendance is compulsory in order to complete the expedition and the Award.
In addition some training will take place on a Wednesday after school (15.45-1700) to include use of eDofE (the online system used by participants to record their progress), route planning and writing of route cards for expeditions, collecting and returning equipment etc.
Equipment
Students will need to provide their own personal equipment for the expedition section including walking boots, wet weather gear (jacket & trousers), sleeping bag and mat and personal clothing.
Maps, Compasses, Tents, Cooking Stoves/Gas and Rucksacks (limited number) can be hired by payment of a deposit (£5.00 per person for maps/compasses, £15.00 per person per tent, £10 per person per Trangia/Gas and £10 for a Rucksack). Deposits will be refunded if the equipment is returned in a clean and satisfactory condition, complete and on time.
Cost
In addition to those costs outlined above there is a one-off enrolment fee of £38.00 to cover the cost of the D of E licence, photocopying (including an Expedition Handbook), registration on eDofE and a book to record progress as well as the costs of the two expeditions (approximately £25.00 per expedition to include campsite fees, fuel, trainers and assessors expenses but not food or hire of equipment).
The completion of the Award requires a considerable commitment from the participant as well as from parents/carers but the benefits are considerable. As soon as the situation becomes clearer and the ‘green light’ is given for D of E activities to recommence then I will be able to give a date for when I am able to meet with those who are interested in applying and to give precise dates for Expedition Training including the two expeditions.
In the interim please consider carefully the information above and also go to the D of E website (www.DofE.org) where you will find more information e.g what activities are acceptable for each of the three sections – Volunteering, Physical and Skills. If having read this information and consulted the website you have any unanswered questions, please contact Mrs Hoar via email on j.hoar@oaklandscatholicschool.org
To download the Bronze ‘Help Memo’ please click here
