The Duke of Edinburgh Award

Known within school as the DofE, this is the start of a fun adventure covering all sorts of activities and skills that will help you achieve in your life.  

The Duke of Edinburgh’s award is recognised and valued by universities and employers alike.

You achieve certificates at certain levels – starting with your Bronze and Silver at Bonus Pastor, and after leaving us can progress onto achieving Gold, which is presented by a member of the royal family! 

What’s involved?

Your Bronze award requires you to be committed.  You will complete a personal programme of activities in four different sections – Volunteering, Skills, Expedition and Physical.

• Volunteering - From conservation to youth work to fundraising for your favourite charity or caring for animals, there's an endless list of the types of projects you can get involved in
• Skills - From podcasting to playing a musical instrument, fine art to website design, there's an endless list of the types of skills you can do
• Expedition - There’ll need to be between four and seven of you in an expedition team. With your team, you’ll plan an aim for your expedition, decide on your location and do lots of fun training to make sure you’re fully prepared and know what you’re doing, before going off into the countryside, hiking to and from your campsite and camping overnight! 
• Physical - From hockey to dance, rock climbing to swimming, wheelchair basketball to yoga - almost any dance, sport or fitness activity can count. You can join a team or do it on your own, concentrate on something you're already doing or try something completely different - it's up to you.

You must do a minimum of 3 months activity for each of the Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections, and plan, train for and do a 2 day (and 1 night away from home) Expedition.  You will also have to spend an extra three months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections.  It will usually take you at least 6 months to complete your Bronze programme.

You’ll find yourself helping people or the community, getting fitter, developing skills, and visiting new places through your expedition.  The best bit is – you get to choose what you do.

Your programme can be full of activities and projects that get you buzzing, and along the way you’ll pick up experiences, friends and talents that will stay with you for the rest of your life. 

For our Virtual Parent Meeting 2020 please see the video below:

Why do your DofE?

Good question! Because, from the first day to the last it’s a real adventure. Every section gives you something different – that’s the fun of it. You’ll enjoy loads of new experiences, discover talents you never thought you had, challenge yourself and meet loads of people just like you. Plus you’ll do things you love and get a kick out of. It’s a real buzz!

Then there’s all the other stuff…

• …achieving an Award will give you skills, confidence and a view on life that everyone is looking for, from employers to colleges and universities.
• …you’re getting recognised for doing things you want to do (and may even be doing already).
• …you’ll make a difference to other people’s lives and your community, be fitter and healthier, make new friends and have memories to last you a lifetime.
• And above all, it’s a great laugh – the question should really be why wouldn’t you bother!

If interested please speak to Mr Lawrence at nlawrence@bonuspastor.co.uk

Using E-DofE

You use E-DofE to log all of the details for your sections and to upload your evidence. At the end of your 3 months / 6 months you need your assessor to complete the assessor report (either in your book, or online). Once done, Mr Lawrence will check it all, it will be double checked by another member of staff, before then being sent off to Head Office. 

For help on using E-DofE please see the following videos: