The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) provides a balanced programme of activities for participants aged between 14-24, giving young people the opportunity to develop skills for life and work through team working and social interaction.

Three Award levels

There are three levels to the Duke of Edinburgh scheme – Bronze, Silver and Gold. Once every aspect of a level is completed you obtain your award and can choose to go onto the next level of the scheme. Here at Our Lady’s we have been running the DOE successfully for five years. All participants are entered in the Bronze Award, with the opportunity to progress to Silver and Gold later in their education. Those who have previously joined the Bronze scheme with Our Lady’s have all successfully achieved their awards.

Recognised by employers and further education

This prestigious award is recognised across the whole country. The award develops students’ skills and attitudes shaping them into well-rounded, confident adults and helps them develop important life skills such as leadership, teamwork, self-confidence, responsibility, problem solving and communication. Participating in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme enables our students to embark on incredible adventures, taking part in a range of activities and going on expeditions – all culminating in an award recognised by colleges, universities and employers alike.

Memories to last a lifetime

To date, 100 Our Lady’s students have walked, climbed and camped out in the hills of the beautiful countryside in the Lake District. The weather has not always been kind, but they have always demonstrated great determination and resilience as they battled with the elements on the high moors of Coniston and Langdale.

Alongside the expedition pupils have dedicated their time to develop their leadership skills, volunteering their time to support and help others inside and outside the Our Lady’s community as well as developing new skills, academically and practically to enhance personal growth. These are all requirements of the award scheme and help to shape our students into caring, compassionate individuals in keeping with the ethos of our school.

Start with Bronze and you could be going for Gold

We are hoping to continue this success with a new cohort of pupils who not long ago began their Bronze DofE journey. Places have been filled by our current Year 10 and 11 students, who will shortly complete their pre-expedition training. Our pupils are looking forward to getting out into nature and practising the skills they have developed in these sessions.