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The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

At St Edmund’s the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a popular choice at Gold, Silver and Bronze level.

 

St Edmund’s award participants can complete expeditions by foot and canoe. The College has an operating licence and we are very proud of our high participation and completion rates.

Key information

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has three levels which students can begin at different ages:

  • Bronze: 14+ years
  • Silver: 15+ years
  • Gold: 16+ years

Some students enter directly into Gold, others may want to start at Bronze. The main difference between levels is the length of time required to complete the aware. Bronze can take as little as six months, whereas Gold takes at least 18 months. Students have until their 25th birthday to complete an award so there is no rush.

Key award components:

  • Volunteering
  • Physical
  • Skills
  • Expedition
  • Residential (Gold only)

The award 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 three months in the Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections.

Silver Award
  • Volunteering – 6 months
  • Physical – 1 section for 6 months and the other section for 3 months
  • Skills – 1 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 – 1 section for 12 months and the other section for 6 months
  • Skills – 1 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.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award fits well with the ethos of St Edmund’s where we ensure that our students have a strong academic education complimented by an excellent activities programme which encourages students to develop life skills that are so important for their future. In recent years, our students have completed expeditions in the New Forest, Peak District, Shropshire Hills, Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons, River Thames, River Lea, River Ouse, River Nene, River Severn, River Wye and in Thailand.
Elizabeth Cobb, Director of Activities

Downloads

Expedition preparation guide