At Wood Green School we understand the value of the Duke of Edinburgh Award and is woven into our School Baccalaureate and House award system. All three levels of the Duke of Edinburgh Award are supported. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a life-changing experience. A fun time with friends. An opportunity to discover new interests and talents, or hone your abilities in an existing one. A tool to develop essential skills for life, university and work. A recognised mark of achievement; respected by employers. To deliver the expedition section we have engaged with an Approved Activity Provider (AAP). This has allowed us to remove any limits on those who can participate and encourage all to join.
This is a progressive award structured as below.
Volunteering is all about making a difference to other people’s lives. Students choose their own activity which could be anything from conservation work, raising money for charity or working with older people to starting a local recycling campaign. The Volunteering section is about giving your time to help others and change things for the better.
Ideas for the volunteering section - DofE website
This is a chance to focus on health and fitness. The only requirement is that the activity chosen requires a sustained level of energy and physical activity. For example you could improve your football, rock climbing or dance skills, or try a completely new sport or activity. The activity can be completed as part of a team or alone. It is not necessary to achieve at a very high standard or be incredibly fit – it’s the personal progress that counts.
Ideas for the physical section - DofE website
The Skills section is about working to develop skills in a chosen area. This could mean getting better at something you already do, like playing a musical instrument or learning something for the very first time, like how to design a website.
Ideas for the skills section - DofE website
The Expedition section promotes team spirit, the ability to compromise and recognise the skills of others, develop communication and leadership skills, resilience and independence, and provides a source of many happy memories. As part of a small team, students take part in training sessions and a training day to prepare them to plan and complete their qualifying walking expedition. At Silver & Gold level they will also complete a practice expedition. Teams set their own aim, which is presented after the expedition has been completed. They are assessed during the expedition to ensure they meet the 20 conditions.
Gold Award students complete an additional Residential volunteering section. For example, helping at a National Trust site in the UK or working with children in India.
Information on the residential section - DofE
Updated: May 2023
