What is the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme?
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is a programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities designed to aid the development of young people. Codsall Community High School has been delivering the DofE award since 2005 and has one of the highest completion rates for the area. We pride ourselves in giving students positive experience in the outdoors to create a lifelong learning and love for the outdoors, which has a real personal approach in delivering the award.
We offer Years 9,10 and 12, 13 the opportunity to participate in the scheme, as we believe it is an integral part of a pupil’s personal development. The ‘DofE’, as it is colloquially known, has awards at three levels; Bronze, Silver and Gold which are nationally recognised by colleges, apprentices, universities and employers.
Bronze and Silver Awards
The Bronze and Silver Awards have four parts: physical, skill, volunteering and the expedition.
The first three provide fantastic opportunities for pupils to be recognised for some of their existing co-curricular activities and also to try new things and contribute to the community which fits really well with our school value of Altruism. Participants commit an hour of their time once a week, in all three of the physical, skill, and volunteering sections for three to six months.
The expedition allows them to develop the ability to work as a team; they must plan an overnight excursion, carrying food and camping equipment and execute that plan without outside assistance, dealing with problems as they arise. Preparing for the expedition and successfully completing it gives pupils real confidence in their ability to be independent and most pupils have a great time too!
In Year 9 students can sign up to take part in the Bronze award with the great majority completing within 9 months. Pupils can start the Silver award in Year 10, either after completing their Bronze Award, or as new students enrolling for direct Silver entry. The elements are similar to the Bronze except that the level of commitment is slightly greater.
