The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is the world’s leading achievement award for young people.

It comprises a programme of activities that can be undertaken by anyone aged 14 to 25 at Bronze, Silver and Gold Levels.  The award is supported and recognised by both business and industry with companies including Tesco, British Gas and Lloyds Banking Group partnering the Award nationally.

Bournemouth School is a licenced centre for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and runs 10 Groups at Bronze, Silver and Gold Level with over 245 participants in total.  Students are able to participate at Bronze level when they enter year 9 and can participate at Silver level in year 10.  They are then able to enrol on the Gold Award when they reach their 16th birthday; this level of the award can be achieved in a time frame ranging between 12-18 months (and can be completed at any time up until they reach age 25).

At Bronze and Silver levels participants undertake personal challenges to develop their physical fitness and learn new skills, and undertake some voluntary work.  They also participate in a group expedition.  At Gold level students have to participate in a residential training course in addition to completing more challenging versions of the same four components of the Bronze and Silver Awards (physical, skills, volunteering and expedition).

Enrolment forms and further information are available from the school office.  More information with regard to the DofE in general can be found on the website at www.dofe.org