We currently offer both the Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) awards. Bronze is open to students from Year 9, and Silver from Year 10. The award develops students’ skills, confidence and importantly a view on life that employers, colleges and universities are looking for. We have successfully run the Duke of Edinburgh programme here at Ansford for over 25 years.

Whilst enrolled on the award, students are expected to complete a personal programme of activities designed to challenge them both physically and mentally.

The award consists of 4 disciplines which all enrolled students will be required to complete:

Volunteering  

Volunteering gives you the chance to make a difference to people’s lives and use your skills and experience to help your local community. You can use this opportunity to become involved in a project or with an organisation that you care about.

For some ideas for the volunteering section see the DofE help sheet here.

Physical

Doing physical activity is fun and improves your health and physical fitness. There’s an activity to suit everyone so choose something you are really interested in.

For some ideas for the physical section see the DofE help sheet here.

Skills

Developing a skill helps you get better at something you are really interested in and gives you the confidence and ability to use this skill both now and later in life.

For some ideas for the skills section see the DofE help sheet here.

Expedition

The expedition section consists of planning, training, completing and reviewing an expedition in unfamiliar countryside, taking all necessary equipment with you and completing it without outside help or assistance. For more information on the expedition please see the DofE 20 conditions of the expedition here.

Timescales

For the Bronze award participants are expected to complete:

• 3 months volunteering
• 3 months physical
• 3 months skill
• Plus an additional 3 months of one discipline
• An expedition of 2 days and 1 night, walking around 16 km per day

For the Silver award participants are expected to complete:

• 6 months volunteering
• 3 or 6 months physical (one must be completed for 6 the other for 3)
• 3 or 6 months skill (one must be completed for 6 the other for 3)
• An expedition of 3 days and 2 nights, walking around 20 km per day

The DofE coordinator is Miss Charlotte Worthy-Jarvis.

2023 – 2024 Training and Expeditions (Dates To Be Confirmed)

27 and 28 April

Bronze training weekend at Ansford Academy.

18 and 19 May

Bronze qualifying expedition and Silver training weekend in the Quantocks.

5, 6 and 7 July

Silver qualifying expedition on Exmoor.