As part of the school’s commitment to enriching the curriculum of our students we are delighted to be re-launching the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Bronze and Silver level.
Colleges, universities and employers look for what young people have done as well as their studies in order to judge their character. This includes traits such as teamwork, commitment and resilience; all of which the challenges of the Award can provide. It will not only give them examples to talk about in their future applications for college and university places, jobs and apprenticeships but opportunities to make friends and have experiences which they will remember for a long time.
However, the offer of this place is dependent on their commitment. They firstly need to find opportunities to complete their skill, volunteering and physical activities. These can be interests they have both in and out of school which they can provide evidence of participation in on a regular basis for 3-6 months for Bronze Award and 6-12 months for Silver Award and hope students will use enrichment opportunities to fulfil these. The enclosed booklet contains lists of activities to give them some ideas as well as recording sheets which they can use to record the dates and types of activities. They should also record photos and videos which they will be able to upload to the eDofE database later in the year. Activities undertaken consistently (e.g. once per week) since October 2021 will count.
The expedition element of the programme is often the most challenging. This will involve young people training for and completing a two-day qualifying expedition where they are self-sufficient and travel under their own navigation. The training will include theory sessions and practice expeditions, and the schedule for these is listed below:
Bronze Award
Parent’s Information Evening – Wednesday 24th February 2022 – 5pm – Drama Centre
Practice Walk – Sunday 13th March 2022 – Rivington (parents to drop off and collect)
Practice expedition – 8am Saturday 23rd April – 4pm Sunday 24th April 2022 – Waddow Guiding Camp, Lancashire
Qualifying expedition – 8am Saturday 18th June – 4pm Sunday 19th June 2022 – Llandegla, North Wales
Silver Award
Parent’s Information Evening – Wednesday 24th February 2022 – 5pm – Drama Centre
Practice Walk – Sunday 13th March 2022 – Rivington (parents to drop off and collect)
Practice expedition – 8am Saturday 21st May – 4pm Sunday 22nd May 2022 – Waddecar Scout Camp, Lancashire
Qualifying expedition – 8am Friday 9th July – 4pm Sunday 11th July 2022 – Edale, Peak District
We hope you will assist and encourage your child to take the part in the programme and help them face up to some challenges while having fun. We want the whole programme to reflect our Growth Mindset approach where our young people see positive opportunities and not focus on what they cannot do… yet.
We will hold a parent’s information evening in the spring regarding the expeditions. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch using the email address below.
Yours faithfully
Mr M. Foulkes
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Manager
mfo@little-lever.bolton.sch.uk