The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a programme of exciting and challenging activities for young people aged 14-25. The award brings many benefits for boys at Queen Elizabeth’s School: it develops confidence; strengthens teamwork and communication abilities; brings opportunities to learn new skills and gives boys the chance to make new friends. In addition, the award is very helpful when boys complete UCAS university application forms. In particular, it provides the required ‘national recognition’ of a level of commitment, as well as providing evidence of ‘essential non-academic skills’. 

The Award offers a system of accreditation at three levels: Bronze (for those aged 14+), Silver (15+) and Gold (16+). There are four sections to the Award at each level: volunteering, skill, physical recreation and expedition, with an additional residential section for the Gold award.

Many of the requirements can be fulfilled through activities at Queen Elizabeth’s School. For example, the service section aims to encourage active citizenship and community involvement: thus the School’s voluntary service programme, CCF, peer support network and sports leadership & coaching programme all count towards the award. In addition, activities outside the School can also qualify.

Similarly, for the skill section, QE activities such as drawing, creative writing, playing a musical instrument, singing, photography and sports refereeing – to name just a few – can all qualify, as well as hobbies and interests pursued outside the School.

For the physical recreation section, the requirements can be fulfilled through a wide range of physical activities, from athletics, swimming and rugby to dance, rock-climbing, skateboarding and orienteering.

Boys can choose whether they wish to complete the Expedition section with the School or organise their assessment independently. They must complete one practice and one assessed expedition in order to fulfil the requirements of this section. Assessments for boys who complete the expedition with the School will take place in Chelmsford, Essex (Bronze), the Chilterns (Silver) and Snowdonia, North Wales (Gold). The number of nights spent on the expedition varies according to the level of the Award undertaken.

The residential section aims to broaden young people’s experiences through involvement with others. Gold level candidates spend five consecutive days and four nights on conservation or environmental work; service to others; an activity-based visit or personal training. Activities such as Medlink or Queen Elizabeth School’s language exchanges will also count towards this section.

Pupils working towards the Award at the School decide on their activities for the various sections and then find a mentor for each. They record their progress on an ongoing basis. Their final assessment is based on this evidence and can take place either while the pupil is at the School or after he has left. After the Barnet Operating Authority has approved the final assessment, pupils will be given the opportunity to attend a presentation ceremony at one of the Royal Palaces in London.

Views of past QE participants

"A way to have fun and complete your voluntary work at the same time... It also allows you to improve your team work and other essential skills." Kishen Patel

"I would 110& recommend it to anyone who wants to build on their strengths. The Award helps tremendously with your UCAS application and can even get you noticed by future employers." Imran Khan

"It's a great way to build on your existing skills, meet new people and kick-start your university application with something unique!" Akhil Amlani

Useful links

www.dofe.org

www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/

www.mountainwise.co.uk