Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Introduction
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a popular co-curricular activity at OLA, with most pupils in Year 9 taking up the challenge at the Bronze level. About half of these continue with the Silver Award during Years 10 and 11. Students in the Sixth Form progress onto the Gold Award.
Requirements
To achieve the Award at each level, participants have to show commitment and improvement in an activity in each of the sections:
- Volunteering
- Physical
- Skill
Some activities are completed through other clubs within school, and others outside of school.
Participants also have to complete the expedition section, which is generally organised by OLA staff, locally in the Chilterns and on the Ridgeway at the Bronze level, and further afield in the Black Mountains and Exmoor for the Silver Award, with Gold participants being encouraged to be more independent and complete their expeditions with other groups outside of school.
The Award
A Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an achievement to be proud of. It is highly regarded as a sign of a person’s self-motivation, determination and commitment outside of the normal school curriculum.
Many students say that their DofE experience was the highlight of their time at school. It is hard work but very rewarding and much fun!