Scorpio
Duke of Edinburgh
Open Award
When a young person does their DofE programme they’ll develop the skills and attitudes they need to become more rounded, confident adults. Qualities that colleges, Universities and Employers are attracted to. So when you support a young person’s pursuit of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, you’re investing in their future.
You can expect to see development in the following areas as the participant progresses through the DofE programme:
- Self-belief and self-confidence
- A sense of identity
- Initiative and a sense of responsibility
- A real awareness of their strengths
- New talents and abilities
- The ability to plan and use time effectively
- Learning from and giving to others in the community
- Forming new friendships
- Problem solving, presentation and communication skills
We are travelling through difficult times and our young people are learning to cope with a loss of routine. Our Open Award allows young people to take part in an opportunity whilst many other opportunities are removed. The Open Award gives young people the opportunity to take part in activities and development from the comfort of their own home around the framework of the DofE.
The Open Award gives you options to choose the best fit for you.
Certificate of Achievement
COVID-19 has had a big impact on DofE participants’ lives – affecting their studies, social lives, work, mental health and future plans.
Despite this, since the outbreak began, young people all over the UK have shown amazing motivation and commitment to keep their Skills, Volunteering and Physical sections going through DofE With A Difference.
Also, through volunteering, they’ve made a difference in local communities – from shopping for sheltering neighbours and collecting for foodbanks, to entertaining care home residents and making NHS scrubs, face shields and masks.
But, even though lockdown has eased, it’s clear the pandemic’s effects will be long-lasting – they’ll especially affect the Expedition section and, if undertaking Gold, the residential.
For those who might not have the chance to do the expedition or residential in coming weeks and months, we want to make sure you get recognised for the massive amount of time, effort and creativity you’ve put into your other sections – you deserve it.
The DofE Certificate of Achievement, is available to any young person who enrols before 31st July 2021 and completes their Skills, Volunteering and Physical sections at Bronze, Silver or Gold.
What is the DofE Certificate of Achievement
It’s an official recognition, by the DofE, of just how much has been achieved by completing the Skills, Volunteering and Physical sections.
We think it’s important you receive something formal to celebrate and recognise the vital skills and qualities you’ve developed and the effort you’ve put in.
What’s the benefit of receiving a Certificate of Achievement?
Employers really value DofE Awards because they know how much dedication it takes to complete those four sections (or five at Gold). You deserve to have that hard work recognised.
They also know that activities help to develop vital skills and character traits – like confidence, independence, team-working and problem-solving skills.
The expedition and residential are important parts of a DofE programme, and we’d encourage you to do yours if you get chance in coming months.
But, for those who might not have that chance, we want to make sure you’re formally recognised by the DofE for everything you’ve done.
If you go on to achieve your Award, that’s brilliant. But, if not, your DofE Certificate of Achievement on your CV or in your personal statement will act as a talking point, help you stand out and make sure your achievements are highlighted on applications and in interviews.
Who can receive a Certificate?
To receive your Certificate, you need to have:
– Started your Bronze, Silver or Gold DofE before 31 July 2021.
– Competed your Skills, Volunteering and Physical sections (but not your expedition) and had them signed off by your Leader.
What if I want to do my expedition and achieve my DofE Award later on?
If you’ve received your Certificate of Achievement, you can still go on to do your expedition and/or residential and achieve your Award. If you’d like to, are able to and it’s safe to do so, we’d definitely encourage you to – it’s a fantastic, rewarding experience. To help, we’ve introduced some temporary expedition rule changes to help your Leaders deliver ‘expeditions with a difference’ when Government guidelines allow. There are three levels of programme you can do which, when you’ve successfully completed them, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The main differences between them are the minimum length of time it takes to complete them, how challenging it is and the minimum age you can start.
Activities for each DofE section take a minimum of one hour a week over a set period of time, so they can be fitted in around academic study, hobbies and social lives. Development and regular progress must be shown and all activities must be completed by the participant’s 25th birthday. Depending on your age, you are free to start at any level but most people prefer to start at Bronze and work upwards.
– Bronze – for those aged 14+ years
– Silver – for those aged 15+ years
– Gold – for those aged 16+ years
If you aren’t 14 yet but are in the school year in which your peer group turn fourteen, you may be able to start a Bronze DofE programme – check with your DofE Leader. Similarly, if you aren’t 15 yet, but are in the school year in which your peer group turn fifteen, you may be able to start a Silver DofE programme – check with your DofE Leader.
Bronze Award
It will usually take you at least 6 months to complete your Bronze programme.
– Volunteering section: 3 months
– Physical section: 3 months
– Skills section: 3 months
– Expedition section: 2 days/1 night
You also have to spend an extra three months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections. It’s your choice which one and, though you can change your mind later, you should decide which section you want to do for longer at the beginning. Knowing how long you’re going to do it for will help you to choose your activity and set your goals for each section.
Silver Award
It will take you at least 6 months for Silver if you’ve already achieved your Bronze, or 12 months if you’ve jumped straight into Silver.
– Volunteering section: 6 months
– Physical and Skills sections: One section for 6 months and the other section for 3 months
– Expedition section: 3 days/2 nights
If you didn’t do Bronze, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.
Gold Award
For Gold, you’ll need to do your programme for at least 12 months if you’ve achieved your Silver Award, or 18 months if you’ve started at Gold level without doing your Silver – even if you’ve done Bronze. The big difference at Gold is you’ll also do a Residential section – staying away from home for five days and four nights doing a shared activity with people you don’t know.
– Volunteering section: 12 months
– Physical and Skills sections: One section for 12 months and the other section for 6 months
– Expedition section: 4 days/3 nights
– Residential section: Undertake a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights.
If you didn’t do Silver, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.