What is the DofE?
A life-changing experience. A fun time with friends. An opportunity to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work. A recognised mark of achievement; respected by employers.
The DofE is many things to many people, supporting generations to successfully navigate adult life.
14-24 year-olds can do a DofE programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold ( unless you are completing a certificate of achievement). They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.
Any young person can do their DofE – regardless of ability, gender, background or location. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.
Through a DofE programme young people have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence. They gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, enhancing CVs and uni and job applications. Top employers recognise the work-ready skills Award holders bring to their business.
The DofE licenses organisations that work with young people to run DofE programmes, such as schools, colleges, youth groups and clubs. Through the Licensed Organisation (LO) young people (or their parents / carers) pay for a Participation Place and are supported by Leaders who support them through their programmes, helping them to choose their activities, set their objectives and achieve their Award.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a registered charity, funded by donations, Participation Places and licences. The charity works with LOs across the UK to increase opportunities for young people to gain the benefits of doing their DofE.
DofE at St Thomas More Catholic School
DofE has been delivered by the school for a number of years, Due to the Covid pandemic DofE has continued with temporary changes to some of the sections tis including being able to do more activities within your home environment here is a link: DofE with a difference activity ideas This year the school during the year 2021/2022 has decided to offer the DofE Certificate of Achievement, available to any young person who enrols before 31 July 2021 and completes their Skills, Volunteering and Physical sections at Bronze, Silver or Gold.
Links and further information
DofE website www.dofe.org
Why do the DofE: Why do the DofE? – The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Programme planner link : Programme plan for each section
Activity log link: DofE Sectional activities weekly log sheet
Activity list for each section DofE Sectional activity list
How to use eDofE App: eDofE – How to use the eDofE App – YouTube
Information on enrolment letter:
- Link to film start your bronze DofE: Start your DofE Bronze Award
- Link to information about certificate of achievement: DofE with a difference activity list
- Link to sectional programme activity list DofE Sectional activity list
- Link to DofE with a difference (activities at home or remotely) Activity ideas – The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (dofe.org)
DofE downloads
A list of twenty conditions which should be met in order to quality an expedition.
A personal record to record how long you spend in various activities.
A personal record of your time spent on volunteering activities.
A planner design to help DofE students when setting up their eDofE account.
DofE posts
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Featured image: Paxson Woelber. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. No changes made.