We currently have a large number of students participating in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Gold, Silver and Bronze level. Students have the opportunity to participate in expeditions by foot and canoe. The College received its own operating licence and is very proud of both its participation and completion rates.
Basic Information
The award has three levels which students can start at different ages:
Bronze: 14 years upwards
Silver: 15 years upwards
Gold: 16 years upwards
Some students may want to enter directly into Gold, others may want to start at Bronze. The main difference between each level is the length of time required to complete each level. Bronze can take as little as six months and Gold from eighteen months. Students have up to their 25th Birthday to complete the award so there is no rush.
The main components of the award are:
- Volunteering
- Physical
- Skills
- Expedition
- Residential (Gold only)
It is broken down as follows:
Bronze Award
Volunteering – 3 months
Physical – 3 months
Skills – 3 months
Expedition – Plan, train and complete a 2 day, 1 night expedition
All participants must undertake a further 3 months in the Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections.
Silver Award
Volunteering – 6 months
Physical – One section for 6 months and the other section for 3 months
Skills – One section for 6 months and the other section for 3 months
Expedition – Plan, train and complete a 3 day, 2 night expedition
Direct entrants must undertake a further six months in the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.
Gold Award
Volunteering – 12 months
Physical – One section for 12 months and the other section for 6 months
Skills – One section for 12 months and the other section for 6 months
Expedition – Plan, train and complete a 4 day, 3 night expedition
Direct entrants must undertake a further six months in the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.
Gold students also complete a residential activity (5 days, 4 nights) away from home.