Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award offers a challenge for students to develop new skills and gain recognition for their efforts. Employers value it.??Students from the age of 14 can start the Bronze level of the award. They need to complete 4 separate sections.
1.  Interest:   3 months of a non-physical skill or hobby by working with an adult assessor. Suggestions include learning a musical instrument, debating, art work, extra reading, cooking, gardening, collecting stamps or coins
2.  Physical Activity: play 1 hour per week of an activity for 3 months (e.g. any sport) and get the coach to sign the record book.
3.  Service: complete 1 hour per week helping someone over 3 months (eg Trees for Life, coaching a team, first aid certificate) then complete one of sections 1-3 for another 3 months.
4.  Expedition: Complete 2 similiar trips over 2 days and write up a report.

Students from the age of 15 can start the Silver level with longer conditions with some time discount if they have already completed the Bronze level.

Students can start Gold level after 16 years with an extra Residential Section where they must go away for 4 days with other people for a useful purpose. Students completing Gold at school are recognised at Speech Night although they can complete the award any time before they are 25 years.

ACTIVE 8 : The school has a group of students that undertake environmental activities and leadership challenges over 2 years as part of the Premiers Youth Challenge. The group completes 2 activities per term as well as having first aid and OHSW training and completing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.