We are a Duke of Edinburgh Centre, and every year several of our Sixth Form students take on the highest level of the Award - the Gold Award. 

The programme offers great opportunities for students to take on a challenge and develop new skills, draw on their talents, gain greater confidence and make a difference. It is also highly regarded by employers and universities, as success in the Award requires participants to demonstrate commitment, perseverance and resilience.

The DofE website (www.dofe.org) gives comprehensive details of the five components of the Award, which it summarises as follows:

• Volunteering. Volunteering is all about making a difference to other people's lives.
• Physical. Through the Physical section you should achieve a greater physical fitness through participation and improvement in physical activity
• Skills. The Skills section is all about developing practical and social skills and personal interests.
• Expedition. Achieving your Award is an adventure from beginning to end and this section can give you some of your most memorable experiences!
• Residential.  This involves spending 5 days and 4 nights away from home on a shared activity with people you’ve never met before.