The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is an activity open to all young people between the start of Y9 until their 25th birthdays, irrespective of ability or disability, which leads to certification at bronze, silver or gold levels.  At St Augustine’s, Y9 students have the opportunity to participate in the Bronze award which leads onto the higher levels of the award as pupils pass through the school and Sixth Form.  

All participants complete 4 sections, which are individually set to be realistic and achievable.  Completion of the award at any level, shows organisation, perseverance and determination and is well regarded by higher education establishments and employers. The Bronze award for Y9 is outlined below:

 

 

All participants must then undertake a further 3 months in the Volunteering, Physical or Skills section.

Skill: students will develop their skills in a non-physical pastime of their choice, e.g. photography, music, painting.

Volunteering: students spend time assisting a non-profit organisation for no pay, e.g. nursery help, charity shops, conservation work.

Physical:  students develop their abilities in a physical activity, e.g. most sports, personal fitness and dance.

Expedition:  students will train for and complete an expedition which involves walking a pre-planned route in the countryside using a map and a compass.  Groups of 4-7 students work as a team, camp overnight and look after themselves for the duration of the expedition.  Practice and final expeditions normally take place in the summer term of Y9.  Students are expected to complete the skill, physical and volunteering sections to participate.  These activities require an input of approximately one hour per week spread over 3 or 6 months each, but do not need to be done all at once.  Students need to choose and commit to activities to complete skill, volunteering and physical sections.  The activities do not all need to be done at the same time, and can be spread over the course of Y9.