By Mark Cullen. Photographs by Tom Stockdale

Discover the Duke of Edinburgh's Award at Woolston Brook School

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) is a transformative youth development programme available in numerous secondary schools across the UK. It is specifically designed to empower young people, aiding them in building life skills, resilience, and confidence. At Woolston Brook School, we are excited to incorporate this esteemed programme into our curriculum for Year 10 and Year 11 students, which started in September 2024.

About the DofE Award

The DofE Award is aimed primarily at young individuals aged 14 to 24, offering three progressive levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each of these levels is designed to challenge participants and provide them with opportunities to develop important life skills.

• Bronze Award: Designed for students aged 14 and older, this foundational level requires participants to engage in a variety of activities that span four key areas.
• Silver Award: For those aged 15 and above, the Silver Award builds upon the experiences gained at the Bronze level, encouraging a deeper commitment to the programme.
• Gold Award: Reserved for participants aged 16 and older, this advanced level introduces additional components, including a residential project that fosters life-changing experiences.

Each award level consists of required activities across four or five sections:

1. Volunteering: This section encourages participants to contribute to their communities, allowing them to develop empathy and social responsibility.
2. Physical: Young people will engage in physical activities that promote fitness, well-being, and a healthy lifestyle.
3. Skills: This area challenges participants to learn a new skill or develop an existing one, which can span a vast range of disciplines.
4. Expedition: In this section, participants are tasked with planning and executing a self-sufficient journey, enhancing their teamwork and navigation skills.
5. Residential (Gold only): This unique requirement involves taking part in a residential project, allowing participants to develop independence and social skills away from home.

How the DofE Award Fits into School Life

At Woolston Brook School, the DofE Award serves as more than an extracurricular activity; it becomes an integral part of our educational framework, enhancing the physical education (PE) curriculum and contributing to the broader educational goals of the school. The Physical section of the DofE aligns exceptionally well with the objectives of physical education. At Woolston Brook, we recognise the importance of regular physical activity for young people's physical and mental health. Therefore, we allow students to fulfil their Physical section requirements during PE lessons, incorporating varied and engaging exercises that cater to diverse interests. From traditional sports to alternative fitness practices, students will find numerous opportunities to get active and enjoy physical challenges.

Broader Curriculum Contribution

Moreover, the DofE activities seamlessly link into other areas of the curriculum. Here’s how we envision the programme enhancing our students' educational experiences:

• Volunteering: This component dovetails nicely with PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) education or Citizenship education, encouraging students to think critically about their role in society and the impact they can have.

• Expedition: The Expedition section can be closely related to Geography or outdoor education, offering students hands-on experiences that deepen their understanding of cartography, nature, and environmental science.

• Skills: The Skills section can cross over into many subjects, from arts and music to IT and science, allowing students to explore their interests while developing valuable competencies.

Flexibility and Inclusivity

A significant advantage of the DofE programme is its inherent flexibility and inclusivity. We believe every student should have the chance to participate in this life-enhancing experience. The programme can be tailored to accommodate individual needs, making it a suitable option for students who may find traditional PE challenging.

At Woolston Brook School, we pride ourselves on our diverse approach to physical education, fostering an inclusive environment that supports every learner. Our incorporation of the DofE into the PE curriculum enriches our students' experiences and opens doors to skills and opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award at Woolston Brook School

We are thrilled to introduce the Duke of Edinburgh Award to students in Year 10 and Year 11 which started in September 2024. Tom Stockdale, is dedicated to delivering this enriching course. His expertise and enthusiasm have already yielded positive feedback from learners, further cementing our belief in the value of the DofE programme. The DofE programme will not only enhance our students' academic journeys but also help them grow into well-rounded individuals prepared for future challenges.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award: A Pathway to Employability at Woolston Brook School

Employers highly value the Duke of Edinburgh's Award because it serves as a testament to a wide range of skills, traits, and qualities that are crucial in today’s workplace. Completing the DofE demonstrates that a candidate has transcended mere academic achievements and compiled a rich portfolio of personal and professional capabilities. Here’s why employers find the DofE so significant:

1. Demonstrates Key Employability Skills
   The DofE is an excellent platform for acquiring vital employability skills. Throughout the programme, students engage in teamwork, especially during the Expedition and other sections that necessitate collaboration, planning, and problem-solving in a group setting. Communication is also pivotal; participants often interact not only with their teammates but also with external organisations during volunteering or fundraising activities. Furthermore, the leadership skills nurtured through taking initiative and coordination during expeditions prepare students for real-world challenges.

   Students cultivate their problem-solving abilities by navigating unexpected situations during expeditions or managing their time effectively when balancing volunteering with developing skills. Adaptability is crucial in handling these unforeseen circumstances, providing invaluable lessons for the workplace.

2. Shows Commitment and Resilience
   Pursuing the DofE requires sustained effort over several months or even years, showcasing the participant’s ability to commit to long-term goals. The challenges faced during various activities help instil a sense of perseverance and foster a robust work ethic, traits that are indispensable in any job.

3. Highlights a Well-Rounded Individual
   The DofE framework focuses on a holistic approach to personal development. By completing all four sections (Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and Expedition), students emerge as well-rounded individuals who value personal growth, community engagement, and physical fitness. 

4. Community and Social Awareness
   Engaging in the Volunteering section signifies a commitment to giving back and an understanding of societal issues—qualities that resonate strongly with many corporate values. Participants learn to foster empathy, take on responsibility, and develop a collaborative mindset, all of which are key to thriving in a professional environment.

5. Prepares for Work and Life
   The skills gained through the DofE directly prepare students for both work and life. Effective time management and organisational skills are crucial as students learn to balance their DofE commitments with academic responsibilities. The independence developed through planning expeditions and achieving personal objectives seamlessly translates into the professional world, making our students highly employable when the time comes.

6. Recognised Achievement
   The DofE Award is not just an ordinary qualification; it is nationally and internationally recognised, adding tremendous value to a student’s CV. Employers perceive the DofE Award as a benchmark of character and effort, a mark of consistent dedication rather than luck.

7. Sets Candidates Apart
   In a competitive job market, possessing the DofE Award distinguishes candidates, highlighting qualities that surpass academic records alone. Many candidates find that their achievements and skills gleaned from DofE become key talking points in interviews, allowing them to showcase specific examples of their commitment and growth.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is more than just an extracurricular activity; it is a transformative experience that equips our students with essential skills and insights invaluable for their future careers. Additionally, the DofE’s flexibility and inclusivity mean that the programme can be tailored to suit individual student needs, making it an accessible and enriching option for all, including those who may find traditional physical education challenging.

At Woolston Brook School, we pride ourselves on our diverse approach to physical education, and our integration of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award into the curriculum reflects this. The enthusiastic feedback we have received from learners underscores the positive impact of this programme on their development.