Menu
Contact

Duke of Edinburgh's Award

A Duke of Edinburgh's Award is so much more than a 'pat on the back' for completing a programme of activities. It is recognition of a young person’s successful journey of self-discovery and development, renowned by employers and universities for the qualities young people who achieve a DofE Award develop.  Its balanced programme develops the whole person - mind, body and soul, in an environment of social interaction and team working. 

There are three progressive levels of DofE programmes which, when successfully completed, lead to Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award.  To achieve each one, participants must complete a programme of activities in four or five sections that involve helping the community (Volunteering); becoming fitter (Physical); developing new hobbies (Skills); planning, training for and completing an outdoor adventure (Expedition) and, for Gold only, working with a team on a five day course away from home (Residential).  Participants select their own programme of activities and set themselves goals or targets. It is not a competition or about being first. It is all about self-development.

At The Crypt School, we offer students in Year 9 the opportunity to complete the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; in Year 10 the Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and from the age of 16 students in Year 11 and the Sixth Form are able to complete the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. 

The Bronze Award takes 6 months to complete, Silver Award takes 6-12 months and the Gold Award takes 12-18 months depending on whether all of the previous awards have been completed.  

All of these awards require students to undertake an expedition for which training, practice and qualifying expeditions are organised by the School using an external Authorised Activity Provider.  Some of this training is done through a fortnightly lunchtime DofE Club and some at the weekends. At Bronze level students will do a first aid and teamwork training day at school followed by two weekends which require two days of walking and one night of camping, each being held in Gloucestershire. At Silver level they will do a first aid and teamwork training day in school, a day of more advanced navigation skills training in Gloucestershire followed by two three-day/two-night expeditions slightly further away (Forest of Dean, The Malvern Hills. River Wye etc.). At Gold level they will do a first aid and teamwork training day in school, a day of more advanced navigation skills training in Gloucestershire followed by two four- day/three-night expeditions, possibly wild camping, in a more remote countryside area of their choice (Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia, Peak District, Scotland etc). 

We offer canoeing expeditions as well as walking expeditions at all levels and are investigating overseas Gold Expeditions for the future.

We rely on staff and parent volunteers to run these weekends away so do get in touch if you would like to know more!

Alison Peake, DofE Manager  [email protected] 

DofE Volunteering Certificate

DofE Website

Parents Information

eDofE Student Login

Our StoriesAnd achievements