Duke of Edinburgh Award

Intent

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a universally recognised award for outstanding effort and commitment and shows that a young person has gone above and beyond in order to achieve it.  It will allow us to showcase what our pupils are capable of, given the appropriate support and encouragement.  At The Pines we are aspirational about the achievements of each one of our pupils, and support everyone to make a contribution to their wider community.  We embrace the Duke of Edinburgh Award’s aim of “setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries” for every young person.  As a school we regularly think outside of the box, and find innovative ways to overcome challenges, and using the Duke of Edinburgh Awards as a way of demonstrating this provides our pupils with the same opportunities for personal challenge as any other young person of the same age.

Implement

All of our pupils in Year 9 will work towards the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award as part of their curriculum.  The activities they complete towards each section are individualised and tailored to each pupil’s needs, but typically include: Physical – PE, Theralympics, Sensory Circuits; Skills –Art, Cooking, DT, Music, Open Theatre; Voluntary – Recycling, Toner Recycling, Magic Breakfast, Library Tidy; Expedition – walking/travelling in identified spaces in the local and extended community. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is delivered during the school day, with the exception of the Expedition’s overnight stay which will take place during the summer term.

Impact

Each element of the Duke of Edinburgh Award provides challenges to be overcome, but the expedition pushes everyone out of their comfort zone – staff as well as pupils.  The achievement of a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award is a testament to overcoming personal challenges.  Skills that pupils have learned throughout their time at The Pines are tested as they communicate with staff, they may not be very familiar with, be as independent as possible, work with others as part of a team, and accept change to their usual routine.  The Duke of Edinburgh Award is the best preparation we could provide for each pupil for their life after The Pines.

 

 

 

Duke of Edinburgh Elements

The Bronze Award for Duke of Edinburgh requires pupils to complete the below activities for 3 months (with the exception of the expedition), where one element is explored for 6 months.

In school, these can be covered within curriculum time, based on 1 hour per element, per week for 12 weeks (the 1 hour per week can be broken down into manageable slots across the week).

Physical

In this section, pupils are required to complete physical activity that is of a sustained level of energy. Some examples are:

Any sport, dance, fitness, daily mile, sensory circuits (with some progression), lunchtime club (active), after school club, PE lessons

Skills

In this section, pupils are required to complete an activity that will allow them to develop their understanding and broaden their experiences. Some examples are: Cooking, sewing, gaming, animal care (donkeys), art and design, computing, gardening at the allotment

Volunteering

In this section, pupils are required to complete something to help others within or around their community. Some examples are: Jobs in and around school, work experience at local businesses.

Adventure and Expedition

In this section, DofE leaders in school must ensure the expedition satisfies the following 20 conditions for the Expedition. This must last 2 days and 1 night, with a minimum of 6 hours planned activity each day and preparation of a hot meal on Day 1.

Pupil voice

Staffing Structure and Training

DofE Licence Signatory

Who? Headteacher

Why: Decides DofE is part of school opportunities, responsible for licence guidance adherence, Appoints DofE Manager and Award verifier

Training: Not required

DofE Award Verifier

Who? Delegated by Licence Signatory

Role: More than one may be appointed, must not verify awards of groups they have trained, led or supervised

Training: Award Verifier Training Course (2.5 Hours) including pre course learning – FREE

DofE Manager

Who? Delegated by Licence Signatory

Role: Runs day to day operational activities, responsible for delivery of annual plan. Responsible for appointing and training other DofE staff. May take role of DofE leader

Training:

  • Introduction of DofE course including pre-course learning – FREE
  • Managers Induction – FREE
  • eDofE for Manager – FREE

DofE Assistant Manager

Who? Delegated by Licence Signatory/ DofE Manager

Role: Delegated by DofE Manager

Training:

  • Introduction of DofE course including pre-course learning – FREE
  • Managers Induction – FREE

DofE Leaders/ Helpers

Who? Anyone in school

Role: Responsible to support participants. Leader submits programme for approval to Award Verifier

Training: No mandatory course, but can complete Introduction of DofE course including pre-course learning – FREE

 

 

Proposed Timeframe:

January – start DofE

Jan – June – 3 months per element (1 element for 6 months)

April – Expedition Training

June – Final Expedition

July – Submission for Award Verification

 

Considerations:

  • Backpack weighted at start of expedition and must not weigh more than 25% of participants weight

 

Planning the expedition

  1. 1. The team must plan and organise the expedition; all members of the team should be able to describe the role they have played in planning.
  2. The expedition must have an aim. The aim can be set by the Leader at Bronze level only.
  3. All participants must be within the qualifying age of the programme level and at the same Award level (i.e. not have completed the same or higher level of expedition).
  4. There must be between four and seven participants in a team (eight for modes of travel which have tandem).
  5. The expedition should take place in the recommended environment.

Bronze: Expeditions should be in normal rural countryside – familiar and local to groups.
Silver: Expeditions should be in normal rural, open countryside or forest – unfamiliar to groups.
Gold: Expeditions should be in wild country (remote from habitation) which is unfamiliar to groups.

  1. Accommodation must be by camping or other simple self-catering accommodation (e.g. camping barns or bunkhouses).
  2. The expedition must be of the correct duration and meet the minimum hours of planned activity.

Bronze: A minimum of 2 days, 1 night; 6 hours planned activity each day.
Silver: A minimum of 3 days, 2 nights; 7 hours planned activity each day.
Gold: A minimum of 4 days, 3 nights; 8 hours planned activity each day.

  1. All expeditions must be supervised by an adult (the Expedition Supervisor) who is able to accept responsibility for the safety of the team.
  2. Assessment must be by an accredited Assessor. At Bronze level only, the Assessor may also be the Expedition Supervisor.
  3. Expeditions will usually take place between the end of March and the end of October. They may take place outside this period, if so, non-camping accommodation options should be considered.

 

 

Training and practice

  1. Participants must be adequately trained to safely undertake a remotely supervised expedition in the environment in which they will be operating.

Bronze: Teams must complete the required training.
Silver: Teams must complete the required training and a practice expedition of a minimum 2 days, 2 nights.
Gold: Teams must complete the required training and a practice expedition of a minimum 2 days, 2 nights.

During the expedition

  1. All expeditions must be by the participants’ own physical effort, without motorised or outside assistance. Mobility aids may be used where appropriate to the needs of the participant.
  2. All expeditions must be unaccompanied and self-sufficient. The team must be properly equipped, and supervision must be carried out remotely.
  3. Teams must possess the necessary physical fitness, first aid and expedition skills required to complete their expedition safely.
  4. Groups must adhere to a mobile phone use policy as agreed with their Expedition Supervisor and Assessor. This agreement should also include use of other electronic equipment.
  5. Participants must behave responsibly with respect for their team members, Leaders, the public and animals.
  6. Groups must understand and adhere to the Countryside /Scottish Outdoor Access, Highway and Water Sports Codes (as appropriate).
  7. Participants must plan an appropriate expedition menu, including cooking and eating a substantial hot meal on each day. This is optional on the final day.

Post expedition

  1. Participants must actively participate in a debrief with their Assessor at the end of the expedition.
  2. At Silver and Gold level, a presentation must be prepared and delivered after the expedition.

 

 

Bushcraft Ideas:

  • Shelter Building
  • Campfire
  • Making Tools (if covered by Forest School Insurance)
  • Den Building
  • Micro-Organism finding
  • Types of Knots
  • Bow and Arrow Making
  • Foraging
  • Natural Navigation
  • Water Purification
  • Making Bread
  • Using a Compass
  • Make a natural compass
  • Plan a journey
  • Dreamcatchers
  • Make a frame