Aim of the Awards 
The DofE aims to stimulate the enthusiasms and energies of young people by presenting them with a challenging programme of activities. The award is available to anyone between the ages of 14 and 24 and the process of participation leads to personal development and new, well-earned confidence.

Marling School is a licensed organisation with the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and offers the award at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.

Sections of the Award
Each level of the award is achieved by completing a personal programme of activities in Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition. The Gold award also requires a fifth component of a Residential. Further information is available at www.dofe.org

Age & Stage 
The BRONZE award is available to students in Year 9/10. Students can sign up before Christmas and can get underway with their 3 sections immediately. It is the student’s responsibility to organise and fulfil the requirements for the Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections themselves but the school does give support and guidance in this. With regard the expedition section, the training and the first practice expedition takes place in the summer of Year 9 (Sharpness). The training includes; map reading, compass reading, navigational skills, distance route planning, camp craft, and the right way to pack your rucksack. The final qualifying expedition takes place in autumn of Year 10 (Lambourn Downs).

The SILVER award is available to students in Year 10/11 with expeditions taking place in the spring of Year 10 and the autumn of Year 11. Silver expeditions take part in more challenging terrain such as New Forest, Exmoor, Brecon Beacons.

The GOLD award is available to students in Year 12/13 with expeditions taking place in the summer of Year 12 and Year 13. Marling offers walking expeditions (Peak District, Brecon Beacons, Lake District or Snowdonia National Park) and canoeing expeditions (River Wye). Some students may prefer to complete their GOLD expeditions overseas through a private organiser.

More information regarding the Duke of Edinburgh Award at Marling School can be found by contacting the DofE Manager, Andrew Cook at andrew.cook@marling.gloucs.sch.uk

The Ten Key Principles of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

• Non-Competitive: The Award is a personal challenge and not a competition against others. Each participant's programme is tailor-made to reflect the individual starting point, abilities and interests.

• Available to All: With a commitment to equal opportunities, the Award Programme is available to all young people who choose to take up its challenge.

• Voluntary: Young people make a free choice to enter the programme and commit their own time to undertake the activities.

• Flexible: Young people design their own programme, which can be geared to their choice and personal circumstances and also to local provision. They may enter for whichever level of Award best suits them, and may take as long as they wish to complete an Award.

• Balanced: By choosing activities in each of four different Sections (five at Gold), participants undertake a balanced and wide ranging programme.

• Progressive: At each level, the Award Programme demands more time and an increasing degree of commitment and responsibility from the participant.

• Achievement Focused: Before starting an activity, young people are encouraged to set their own goals. If they aim for those goals and show improvement, they will achieve their Award.

• Marathon, not a Sprint: The Award demands persistence and commitment and cannot be completed in a short burst of enthusiasm. Participants may want to continue with activities beyond the minimum time requirements set out for each level of the Award.

• Personal Development: The Award is a programme of personal and social development. The value to young people is dependent on personal commitment, the learning process and the quality of the experience.

• Enjoyable: Young people and helpers should find participation enjoyable and satisfying.

DofE Parents Bronze Information 2017

Silver Practice Months Letter