Duke Of Edinburgh's - International Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is the world’s leading youth achievement award, recognized in 140 countries worldwide. The Award has a unique reputation with academic institutions, employers, and in the wider world, based on the opportunities and experiences it offers young people, outside of a classroom.

Students can choose from three different Award Levels – Bronze (from 14 years old), Silver (from 15 years old), and Gold (from 16 years old). Students who complete all three levels before leaving school will have achieved something truly exceptional,  standing them out from the majority of other students in university, and employment applications.

Regardless of the level being undertaken, students will be expected to complete different sections as part of their DofE journey:

 – Voluntary Service – volunteering in the community for a set period of time, so that students experience the benefits they can offer others. Examples of volunteering could be activities such as helping in a local hospital, sports coaching, working with a local charity, or teaching/tutoring another student.

 – Skill Development – improving an existing skill, or learning a new one, so that participants benefit from the sense of achievement they can obtain from learning. Examples could relate to learning to play a musical instrument, something sports related, or learning about a particular subject area.

 – Physical Recreation – taking part in a physical activity, again for a set period of time, to develop their own knowledge of that activity but also to improve their own physical wellbeing. Examples can include football, volleyball, basketball, running, martial arts, boxing, dancing, scuba diving, and many other areas.

 – Adventurous Journey – the highlight of many students DofE journey, working as a member of a team of fellow students to complete a journey self-sufficiently, over a set period of time. Participants will receive appropriate training in preparation for their journey, developing skills such as navigation, camp craft, first aid, and team work.

 – Residential – Gold Level Only – participants will have the opportunity to spend time in a different location, with individuals from different backgrounds. Examples of residential activities could be attending a conference as a youth representative, volunteering somewhere different for a period of time, or attending one of the many outdoor courses offered by organizations such as Outward Bound.

In the short term, students get to take part in something which is fun and which recognises their own commitment to activities and participation inside, and outside of school. This can provide evidence for CAS requirements at IB level, and can help boost university and employment applications. More importantly though, each level of DofE provides participants with a sense of achievement and adventure, offering them the opportunity to take part in something which they might not previously have been involved with. Furthermore, participants have the opportunity to work with others whom they might not come into contact with on a normal basis, fostering friendships which can last a lifetime.

In the long term, research has also shown that participation in the award has impacted positively on the education attainment of participants, as well as improved mental and physical health and well-being. As well as this, participants who complete the award have a better understanding of key life skills, developing their abilities to work with others, work as a team, and to embrace the opportunities which life presents them with.