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Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Duke of Edinburgh Award at RWBA is a thriving and successful department. The concept of the DofE is very simple – anyone aged between 14 and 25 can take part in a programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. We have an average an annual intake of 90 pupils for the Bronze Award, 40 for Silver and 25 for Gold. There is an annual presentation event with a guest speaker to recognize the students achievements. The DofE is run and organised by the Academy’s D of E Manager, Mrs Emma Barnard-Williams, supported by many experienced school staff.
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Bronze Award recruitment takes place at the beginning of Year 9, Silver Award recruitment in Year 10, with the aim that all students have completed the award by the end of Year 11. The Gold Award takes place in Year 12 and 13.
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For each level, there are four sections students need to complete in order to achieve their full award. With assistance from staff, participants select and set objectives in each of the following areas:
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Volunteering: undertaking service to individuals or the community.
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Physical: improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities.
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Skills: developing practical and social skills and personal interests.
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Expedition: planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey.
Students are supported through the award at after school sessions ran by our D of E Leaders. The cost of the Award is kept at a minimum with all our provision coming from an ‘in-house’ system of experienced staff. We also have in-house store where students can borrow equipment such as tents, cooking stoves, roll mats and sleeping bags if needed.
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At RWBA Sixth Form, the Gold Award is well established with average uptake of over 25 pupils per year. It is available to all year 12 students in the 6th form regardless of whether they have done any previous D of E Awards and places are gained in first term of Year 12. Expedition training and expeditions take place in the spring and summer of Year 12 and the impact on the curriculum is minimised for pupils so that they can take part. Recent trips include The Brecon Beacons and Dartmoor. The school is immensely proud of all Gold Award pupils who go to St James Palace to receive their Awards. During the 2016 Diamond Anniversary year it was an absolute privilege for both our staff and pupils to be among the guests at Buckingham Palace and receive recognition for all of our efforts here at RWBA.
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The award is well respected both nationally and internationally, and it helps to broaden the experiences and skills our students develop at RWBA. Many further education institutes and businesses look favourably on students with these awards when assessing applications. Although students will develop skills including navigation, camp craft, first aid and team work, the emphasis is very much on the participants taking ownership of their own award and enjoying themselves.
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For further information please contact the RWBA D of E Manager, Mrs Emma Barnard-Williams
(ebarnard-williams@rwba.ascendlearningtrust.org.uk) or visit www.DofE.org.uk
