The Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) programme is a real adventure from beginning to end. It does not matter who you are or where you’re from. You just need to be aged between 14 and 24 and realise there’s more to life than sitting on a sofa watch­ing life pass you by.

By doing your DofE, you're in for an amazing adventure and masses of fun as you take part in a range of activities, all leading to the achievement of an award that's recognised by universities and employers alike.  

For more information about DofE within West Norfolk Academies Trust and Springwood High School click on the posters below:

If you are interested in taking part then please contact:

Springwood DofE Manager
 

'The benefits of achieving a DofE Award at any level are endless.
DofE is about helping you along the path to a productive and prosperous future. As many of our participants say, 'it’s life-changing.'

The benefits of a D of E Award at Springwood High School gives you...... 

A Sense of Achievement 

Achieving an Award will give you skills, confidence and an edge over others when you apply for college, university or a job. Beyond your academic achievements, universities want to see evidence of so called ‘soft skills’ that you have developed through extra-curricular activities, such as communication, commitment, leadership and teamwork. Your DofE Award is a fantastic way to demonstrate and evidence these skills in practice. You’ll also make a difference to other people’s lives and your community, be fitter and healthier, make new friends and have memories to last you a lifetime.

A Sense of Belonging and Taking Part

Taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award can be a life-changing experience. A fun time with friends. An opportunity to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work. A recognised mark of achievement; respected by employers.

The DofE is many things to many people, supporting generations to successfully navigate adult life.

14-24 year-olds can do a DofE programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.

The Opportunity to Gain Life Skills

Through a DofE programme young people have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence. They gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, enhancing CVs and uni and job applications. Top employers recognise the work-ready skills Award holders bring to their business.

And.....

Is Open to Everyone

Any young person can do their DofE – regardless of ability, gender, background or location. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.

Interested? Come along and join us

Your D of E story starts in year 9 when you can sign up for Bronze - your expedition will be held locally.  In year 10 you can carry on to Silver - further away -which puts you in the right place to start Gold  and head to the hills ! -when you begin Sixth Form. Silver and Gold can also be started as a direct entrant but you do have to spend a little longer on each section.

At Springwood DoF is organised by the Springwood DofE Manager who Co-ordinates the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.

If you would like further information please contact the Springwood DofE Manager or visit the Duke of Edinburgh Website

#DofEWithADifference

The coronavirus doesn’t mean your DofE needs to stop – far from it. 

For more information please click on the link below

https://www.dofe.org/dofewithadifference/  

  

  

There are three levels of programme you can do which, when you've successfully completed them, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. 

The main differences between them are:

• The minimum length of time it takes to complete them,
• How challenging it is 
• The minimum age you can start - Depending on your age, you 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 yourself up rather than dive in at the deep end.

Bronze	for those aged 14+ years
Silver	for those aged 15+ years
Gold	for those aged 16+ years

The tables below show the minimum timescales for each level and section.  We've put the length of time in months as you need to show regular activity and commitment during this time, averaging at least one hour a week.

You can't achieve an Award in a short burst of enthusiasm over one weekend!

  

 

The benefits of achieving a DofE Award at any level are endless.

It’s difficult to list them all but, you should definitely know:

• how much fun you’ll have
• how pushing yourself to do new things will help you to grow in confidence and develop useful skills.
• how meeting new people will inspire you and lead to lasting friendships. And
• how a DofE Award can give you the edge when you apply for college, university or a job.

Simply, the DofE is about helping you along the path to a productive and prosperous future. As many of our participants say, it’s life-changing. 

 

More information can be found about the DofE by clicking on the links below:

• eDofE - Login 
• Duke of Edinburgh Website
• DofE Magazine
• Academies and the DofE

Forms and Documentation 

Please click on the links below to download the forms relevant to your enrolment/award:

• Enrolment Form
• Combined Medical Consent Form

Award Forms

Bronze Award:	Silver Award:	Gold Award:
Agreement Form	Agreement Form	Agreement Form
Parent Information Letter	Parent Information Letter	Parent Information Letter
Bitesize Planner	Bitesize Planner	Bitesize Planner
Expedition Training Framework	Expedition Training Framework	Expedition Training Framework
Parents Welcome Leaflet - Bronze Award	Parents Welcome Leaflet - Silver Award	Parents Welcome leaflet - Gold Award

Miscellaneous:

Expedition Kit Guide	Programme Ideas	Volunteering Resource Sheet
Timescales - How Long Does it take to complete a DofE Award?	DofE and Employability	Value of the DofE to Employers
Countryside Etiquette	Eating on a DofE Expedition	How DofE Benefits your Child

 

Watch videos about making the most of your DofE Award.

Also included are promotional videos of how to showcase your soft skills on your CV, job applications and at interviews.

Click on one of the links below to view:

DofE Promotional Video	Welcoming Young People
Welcoming Parents	Interview Tips
Skills for the Future	Become More Employable
Make your CV Stand Out	What Makes a  Successful Entrepreneur
How Volunteering  can Help