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Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Maidstone Grammar School was one of the original pilot schools for the DofE and its values of personal development and service to a community are still an important part of the school’s ethos.

What is the Duke of Edinburgh Award?

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh first conceived the programme in 1954 to help young men make the best use of their free time, find interests and acquire self-confidence and a sense of purpose that would support them into their future and help them to become well-rounded citizens. The award has evolved significantly since then, but the founding principles of service, skills, fitness and adventure remain. The DofE award encourages students to try a broad range of activities and recognises self-motivation and organisation. Maidstone Grammar School was one of the original pilot schools for the DofE and its values of personal development and service to a community are still an important part of the school’s ethos.

Participants:

  • undertake activities to support a community
  • set goals for improved physical fitness
  • learn a new skill or improve an existing one
  • work as a team to navigate through the countryside and learn camp craft.

Each week participants collect evidence as they work on an activity and upload it to an online platform (eDofE) for approval by the level co-ordinator. At the end of 3 or 6 months a chosen assessor writes a report for the participant and when all sections are complete, the award is verified independently before being certified. Those who successfully complete all sections at Gold are invited to The Palace to receive their award.

Bronze
Students at Maidstone Grammar School are invited to start their Bronze Award at the beginning of year 9 with the aim of having it finished in the first term of year 10.

They will need to choose activities for their volunteering, physical and skill sections based on the timescales below. At present, the practice and assessed expeditions are based in the beautiful Kent countryside near Tunbridge Wells.

Activity ideas and other information can be found on the DofE website: Ideas for Activities – The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (dofe.org)

Volunteering Physical Skills Expedition
3 months 3 months 3 months Complete a 3 day, 2 night training and practice expedition.
Complete a 2 day, 1 night assessed expedition.
All participants must undertake a further 3 months in either the Volunteering, Physical or Skills section.

Silver
Students at Maidstone Grammar School are invited to start their Silver Award at the beginning of year 10 with the aim of having it finished in the first term of year 11.

They will need to choose activities for their volunteering, physical and skill sections based on the timescales below. At present, the practice expedition takes place in Ashdown Forest and the assessed expedition takes place in the New Forest in Hampshire.

Activity ideas and other information can be found on the DofE website: Ideas for Activities – The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (dofe.org)

Volunteering Physical Skills Expedition
6 months 3 months 3 months Complete a 3 day, 2 night training and practice expedition.
Complete a 3 day, 2 night assessed expedition.
All participants must undertake a further 3 months in either the Physical or Skills section.

Gold
Students are able to enrol for their Gold Award once they have turned 16, with the aim of having it completed before they leave the sixth form.

They will need to choose activities for their volunteering, physical and skill sections based on the timescales below, with the addition of organising and completing a residential. At present, the practice expedition takes place in the Brecon Beacons and the assessed expedition takes place in Snowdonia.

Activity ideas and other information can be found on the DofE website: Ideas for Activities – The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (dofe.org)

Volunteering Physical Skills Expedition Residential
12 months 6 months 6 months Complete a 5 day, 4 night training and practice expedition.
Complete a 4 day, 3 night assessed expedition.		 Undertake a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights.
All participants must undertake a further 6 months either in the Physical or Skills section.

Co-curricular