DUKE OF EDINBURGH ’ S AWARD
“ An incredible experience that I would recommend to any student .”
BRONZE
During the DofE Bronze award , we must do a physical element , a skills-based element and a volunteering element . These skills can then be harnessed later in life and give young people opportunities to meet new people and improve their mental and physical health . Each of these is done in the pupil ’ s own time , however the school provides many pathways for completing our Bronze DofE , such as providing ideas , running clubs or activities and assessing students .
The final element in the award is the expedition . Mine took place on the South Downs . On the first day , we were dropped at our starting point and then walked for over six hours . We used a route that we had planned in previous sessions to reach the campsite , then set up our tents and cooked dinner as a group . On the second day , we packed up our tents and set off for another six hours of walking . It was difficult and was as much of a mental challenge as a physical one ; however , we stuck together and relied on each other for support ( sometimes literally ). It was also a twoday period that we spent solely with our friends , and crucially , without the influence of technology – which strengthened our friendships !
I speak for everyone who completed Bronze DofE in thanking the members of staff that made it possible for us to have such a valuable experience . I would like to thank Miss Atkinson and Dr Orme who run the scheme at Sevenoaks , as well as every other teacher who has led a session , been on training expeditions or been an assessor . My time doing the Bronze DofE has been an incredible experience that I would recommend to any student .
Megan Lewis , Year 10
SILVER
I ’ m sure that everyone tells you that DofE is great for your university applications , but it ’ s so much more than that ! It ’ s an amazing chance to be forced to do things you will enjoy : all four of the sections ( physical , skills , volunteering and the expedition ) are so much fun and offer opportunities to grow as a person . The practice expedition to the New Forest was amazing ( though wet ) and the qualifying expedition to the Peak District was a romantic tale of beautiful vistas ,
102 TRIPS , CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES