At St John’s, we are proud to offer an active and supportive Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) programme across the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. The DofE Award is a nationally recognised scheme that encourages young people to be adventurous, build confidence and develop valuable life skills that stay with them for life.
Participating in DofE is not about passing or failing — it’s about having a go, trying new things and challenging yourself. Whether students want to improve fitness, learn a new skill, help the community or experience the outdoors, the DofE Award offers something for everyone. Who knows what you can achieve when you set your mind to a challenge!
Who Can Take Part?
The programme is open to all young people aged 14 to 24. At St John’s, students can begin working towards the award at the relevant stage and are supported throughout by our experienced staff team.
Why Do the DofE Award?
Taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award helps young people to:
- Build confidence and resilience
- Learn new skills and discover new interests
- Improve fitness and wellbeing
- Gain independence and develop teamwork
- Meet new people and make friends
- Experience outdoor adventure and challenge
- Strengthen applications for college, university and employment
The DofE Award is highly respected by employers and higher education providers for its focus on commitment, responsibility and personal development.
How the Award Works
There are three levels of the award:
Bronze – minimum 6 months. Silver – minimum 12 months. Gold – minimum 18 months
Students will choose their own activities within each section of the programme, allowing them to follow their interests and set personal goals. On average, each activity is completed for around one hour per week.
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Gold Duke of Edinburgh Expedition 2025
Twenty‑three students took on their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition in summer 2025, facing everything from intense heat to torrential rain and high winds. Despite the extreme conditions, every participant completed the demanding four‑day challenge with resilience, teamwork, and determination. Their achievements—built on months of training and practice in the Cheviot Hills—will be celebrated at Buckingham Palace this summer.
The Four (or Five) Sections
Each level of the DofE Award includes the following elements:
Volunteering
Giving time to help others in the local community.
Examples: supporting charities, coaching younger children, helping at clubs or community groups.
Physical
Taking part in regular sport or physical activity.
Examples: football, netball, running, swimming, dance or fitness training.
Skills
Developing a new skill or improving an existing one.
Examples: cooking, music, photography, art, coding or learning a language.
Expedition
A walking journey lasting between two and four days, including camping and team-based challenges.
Residential (Gold Award only)
A short stay away from home, meeting new people and taking part in a shared activity.
Support at St John’s
Students at St John’s receive guidance and encouragement from trained staff throughout their DofE journey. We offer:
- Help choosing activities
- Training for expeditions
- Opportunities to develop skills and volunteering roles
- Access to equipment and resources
- Safe, supervised practice and qualifying expeditions
Find Out More
We encourage students to Be Adventurous, Be Bold, and make the most of this exciting opportunity.
For further details about the national programme, visit the official Duke of Edinburgh’s Award website.
If you would like to get involved or have any questions about the DofE at St John’s, please contact the school office or our DofE Coordinator: cdavis@stjohns.bhcet.org.uk