Duke of Edinburgh’s Award 2023-2024
Dear Parent/Carer
Thank you for expressing an interest in your child registering to undertake their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award while in Year 9. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is the world’s leading achievement award for young people, and is highly regarded by universities, colleges and employers. It encourages young people to develop independence, commitment, leadership and teamwork through being involved in a personalised programme of activities. The Academy fully supports the award and recognises its value for developing skills and attributes in young people.
The Award is split into four sections: Volunteering, Physical, Skill, and Expedition. It takes approximately 6 months to complete the Bronze level and a regular commitment to various activities for the duration of the Award is required. There is a range of information available on the D of E website with ideas on social distanced activities – https://www.dofe.org/dofewithadifference/activities
The cost to undertake Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is £170. This covers both the practise and qualifying expeditions, the appropriate training, insurance, and campsite fees, as well as the registration fee for DofE. If the cost is an issue for you, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss any support that we can offer.
Students who are in receipt of the pupil premium may qualify for some financial support with these payments. Previously, D of E have funded the enrolment fee for those who are in receipt of pupil premium. Further information regarding this support should be available in September
If you would like your child to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, please complete the registration form online – https://forms.office.com/e/CWYiPmgfT7
Payment can be made using the online payment system which can be found at: http://www.hanhamwoods.academy/our-academy/online-payments/
Expedition Section
The Expedition section requires participants to plan, train for and complete an unaccompanied, self-reliant 2-day expedition. JC Adventures will be delivering the expedition training and expedition weekend. It is important that all these elements are attended for your child to complete their Award.
Exact time and dates of the expedition will be confirmed in the Autumn term, but it is likely the practise expedition will take place during Summer 2024 and the expedition in Autumn 2024.
Students will be expected to have their own personal equipment; however, group equipment (tents, cooking equipment, maps) will be provided by JC Adventures.
There is a discount available in Go Outdoors, Blacks and Millets for Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants. Once registered, students will receive a pack in the post with their discount card in.
If your child wants to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, please return the following: by Friday 8th September 2023.
- Deposit of £50 to cover the D of E registration cost and expedition deposit.
- DofE Participant Enrolment Form completed online – https://forms.office.com/e/CWYiPmgfT7
The remaining cost for the expeditions will be due by 1st March 2024. This can be paid in instalments as follows, or you are welcome to overpay at any time. Please do try to stick to the deadlines where possible, and get in touch if you need any further support:
£40 – by Monday 2nd October
£40 – by Wednesday 1St November
£40 – by Friday 1st March
Please take some time to look at the DofE website www.dofe.org and encourage your son/daughter to also look at the website as they plan what they might do for the other sections. We will be hosting an information evening before the expedition, so please do come along to hear more about the programme, meet the staff involved in running it, and ask any questions.
Students who have signed up and paid their deposit will be invited to after school meetings in September/October to complete the online registration and decide on what they would like to do for the different sections. Students will have access to an app where they can upload evidence and track their progress with the award.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions at [email protected] or [email protected]
Yours sincerely
Mrs E Baker & Mr J Littlejohns | D of E Team
