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Duke of Edinburgh Award

Duke of Edinburgh Award
We offer the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme to Year 10 & 11 pupils.  This is a challenging programme of activities aimed at young people aged 14 years and over; it will help them to learn new skills, to help others and  to experience adventure,  as well as giving them a great sense of achievement.
The programme involves the completion of three areas, namely Service, Skills and Physical Recreation, together with a 2 day (1 night) expedition.  The three areas each have a timescale of completion within three months.  It is anticipated, therefore, that this Bronze Award will be achieved during their Year 10 Academic Year.
The school supports the pupils throughout the programme with regular updates, together with an opportunity to prepare for the 2 day adventure.

2013 Schedule and dates for your diary.

6th February 2013-12th June 2013 - Expedition training sessions for specific groups in Room A21 from 3.45pm-4.45pm

2013 Letters to parents.

Provisional dates for Silver Expeditions:

  • Qualifying Expedition: Friday 19th April to Sunday 21st April 2013 inclusive in The New Forest.

Dates for the Bronze Expeditions:

  • Practice walk. Wednesday 29th May 2013 (time TBC)
  • Practice walk. Friday 31st May 2013 (time TBC)
  • Kit check for all pupils. Wednesday 12th June 2013 in the Gym from 3.45pm.
  • Practice Expedition. Saturday 15th June 2013 to Sunday 16th June 2013 over Sussex Downs
  • Kit check for all pupils on Wednesday 26th June 2013 in the Gym from 5pm with their assessors.
  • Qualifying Expedition. Saturday 29th June 2013 to Sunday 30th June 2013 over Sussex Downs.

Duke of Edinburgh Award Programme 2012
Report by Emma (Girls' Games Captain) 10.2.12
The Duke of Edinburgh Award Programme is a three level individual development programme aimed at young people from all walks of life, aged between 14 and 24. It requires achievement in three main sections; a skill, such as learning an instrument; a physical activity and volunteering, which could include work at a charity shop. In addition entrants are required to undertake two expeditions, one of which is assessed. The length of the expeditions depends on the level; 2 days and 1 night for Bronze; 3 days and 2 nights for Silver, and 4 days and 3 nights for Gold. On completion of the programme, participants have found their knowledge and self confidence has been increased, and they have developed a wide range of skills. In addition to this, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Programme is significant when considering employment, as it is seen as an additional “qualification” and can count for up to 70 UCAS points when applying to University.

For the last three years, we have been running the programme at Our Lady of Sion School. In the first year we began the Bronze Award, and of the 27 pupils (50% of the year group) who enrolled, 21 have now completed the award. Last year 45 of the year 11 students started the Award, which was 71% of the year group. Of these students, 25 have already completed the Bronze Award, with more due to finish soon. This year, 39 out of 60 year 10’s have enrolled, which represents 65% of the year group. We have also introduced the Silver level this year, and so far 20 pupils have started alongside a further 4 external students who will be completing the Expeditions with us.
These are amazing figures: something that all those involved should be proud of. There are currently no other schools locally who have such a high percentage or as higher a number of students taking the award.
We congratulation all those who have completed the D Of E Award Programme, gaining their Bronze or Silver awards, and wish the present students on the programme good luck.

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award 2011/12
Following the huge success of last year’s 45 pupils taking part in the Bronze Award last year, 39 intrepid year 10s have taken on the challenge of the Bronze Award. They have started their core sections of Volunteering, Physical and skill and have organised themselves into teams for the two, 2 day and 1 night expeditions. They are starting their training for the Practice Expedition in June and the Qualifying Expedition at the end of June, beginning of July. Both Expeditions will be across the South Downs.

Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award
2011/12 has seen the launch of the Silver Award at the school. Currently 21 pupils in years 11, 12 and 13 have progressed to the next level, which involves two of the core sections being undertaken for 6 months each and the other for 3 months. The two expeditions will be for 3 days and 2 nights each, the first will be in the Ashdown Forest and the second will be in the New Forest.


D of E Silver Award Students 2012

Click here to see more photos and information about New Forest Expedition April 2012 

Click Here to see photos and information from D of E Practice Expedition June 2011
Click Here to see photos and information from D of E Awards Presentation Nov 2010

Information about the award from the Duke of Edinburgh Award website
A Dof E programme is a real adventure from beginning to end. It doesn’t 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.
You can do programmes at three levels, Bronze, Silver or Gold, which lead to a Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
You achieve an Award by completing a personal programme of activities in four sections (five if you're going for Gold).
You'll find yourself helping people or the community, getting fitter, developing skills, going on an expedition and taking part in a residential activity (Gold only).
But here's the best bit - you get to choose what you do!
Your programme can be full of activities and projects that get you buzzing. And along the way you’ll pick up experiences, friends and talents that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Link to DofE Website
http://www.dofe.org/en/content/cms/home/home.aspx