Duke of Edinburgh
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Established in 1956 by its Founder and Patron, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, the Award is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities.
It is designed to support the personal and social development of young people aged 14-25, regardless of gender, background or ability. The Award offers an individual challenge and encourages young people to undertake exciting, constructive, challenging and enjoyable activities in their free time. |
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There are three levels within the Award:
· Bronze – for those aged 14 and over (S3)
· Silver – for those aged 15 and over (S4)
· Gold – for those aged 15 and over (S5 and S6)
Each level of Award is split into Four Sections:
· Volunteering – encourages pupils to help individuals and the community.
· Skills – can cover almost any hobby, skill or interest of the pupil.
· Physical – focuses on sport, dance and fitness
· Expedition – includes training for, planning and completing a journey on foot or horseback or by boat or cycle.
At Gryffe High School we offer expeditions undertaken ONLY ON FOOT in mountainous and remote terrain.
There is an additional requirement at Gold Level which is a Residential Project. This introduces young people to an enterprise with a specific purpose. They will be in the company of people previously unknown to them and away from home in an unfamiliar environment, typically a youth hostel, camp or sailing ship.
TEN KEY PRINCIPLES OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD
1. Non-Competitive: The Award is a personal challenge, not a competition against others. Each pupil’s programme is tailor-made to reflect the individual starting point, abilities and interests.
2. Available to all: With a commitment to equal opportunities, the Award Programme is available to all young people who choose to take up its challenge
3. Voluntary: Young people make a free choice to enter the programme and commit their own time to undertake the activities.
4. Flexible: Young people design their own programme, which can be geared to their choice and personal circumstances and also to local provision. They may enter for whichever level of Award best suits them, and may take as long as they wish to complete an Award.
5. Balanced: By choosing activities in each of the four different Sections (five at Gold), pupils undertake a balanced and wide ranging programme.
6. Progressive: At each level, the Award Programme demands more time and an increasing degree of commitment and responsibility from pupils.
7. Achievement Focused: Before starting an activity, young people are encouraged to set their own goals. If they aim for those goals and show improvement, they will achieve their Award.
8. Marathon, not a sprint: The Award demands persistence and commitment and cannot be completed in a short burst of enthusiasm. Pupils may want to continue with activities beyond the minimum time requirements set out for each level of the Award.
9. Personal Development: The Award is a programme of personal and social development. The value to young people is dependent on personal commitment, the learning process and the quality of the experience.
10. Enjoyable: Young people and helpers should find participation enjoyable and satisfying.
BENEFITS
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is widely recognised by employers and people involved in further education. Some of the benefits to young people include:
· Developing self-confidence and self-reliance
· Gaining a sense of achievement and a sense of responsibility
· Discovering new skills, interests and talents
· Developing leadership skills and abilities
· Developing team building skills and abilities
They can also discover exciting opportunities; make new friends; experience teamwork, problem solving and decision-making; increase their motivation; enhance their self-esteem and develop their communication skills. They will also, of course, have fun!!
Participation in the Award gives young people the opportunity to develop time-management skills. All activities should be undertaken in their free (non directed) time and are often after school, lunch time or evening clubs or activities, or involve weekend events.
The Award is an excellent way for young people to have a great time with their friends, make new friends and do something highly rewarding with very real long-term benefits.
For example, an Award can provide an excellent stepping stone towards employment, and the pupil’s chosen activities may help in the selection of a suitable career path.
As a highly respected and valued personal development programme, the Award is an impressive and worthwhile addition to a CV.
In more general terms, the Award is also recognised for involving the pupil in the community, and instilling the skills and values that help a young adult become a good and responsible citizen. It can only enhance their credentials in terms of employability.
The Award invariably presents an exciting opportunity for the pupil. However, it is not always easy for a young person to remain enthusiastic and complete their Award, and this is where the parents play an important role.
From time to time it may be necessary for you to provide some encouragement, always remembering that there is a world of difference between encouragement and pressure.
Pupils at Gryffe High School are responsible for organising their own Skill, Volunteering and Physical. Where opportunities arise within the school, staff will endeavour to pass this information on to pupils, though it is the young person’s responsibility to make arrangements with the leaders of their activities. There may be an opportunity for pupils to volunteer within the school to assist with running of clubs or to be a Duke of Edinburgh Young Leader. This would normally be pupils looking towards Silver or Gold where they could support staff by assisting pupils at Bronze. Staff will regularly monitor progress via eDofE which is an on line system where they upload any evidence to support their Award. Where a pupil has not begun the other Sections by a set time, there is a possibility of being removed from the Award Programme –it is important to realise that we are an Award Group and is not considered merely as a Hill Walking Group.
Prospective pupils should be aware that the Award is very demanding in terms of time commitment and effort and that everything undertaken is in addition to their school work, not instead of. Participants can take ‘time-out’ from their activities as long as the Award is completed by their 25th birthday. If a pupil leaves their Award Group, for whatever reason, they can continue their work with another group. Their progress to date will be recorded in eDofE and will still count towards the Award.
THE AWARD AT GRYFFE HIGH SCHOOL
There is a dedicated team of staff in the school responsible for managing the Award on behalf of Renfrewshire Council. They are:
Mr Taylor, Education Support Manager
Miss Badger, Teacher of Biology
Mrs Stark, Science Technician
Mrs Greenaway, Support Staff
Mr Christie, Depute Head Teacher
Mr McClelland, Support Staff
Mr Crome, Volunteer
Mrs Hydes, Teacher of Business Education
All staff and volunteers have a PVG Certificate issued by Disclosure Scotland to work with Young People.
· Bronze – for those aged 14 and over (S3)
· Silver – for those aged 15 and over (S4)
· Gold – for those aged 15 and over (S5 and S6)
Each level of Award is split into Four Sections:
· Volunteering – encourages pupils to help individuals and the community.
· Skills – can cover almost any hobby, skill or interest of the pupil.
· Physical – focuses on sport, dance and fitness
· Expedition – includes training for, planning and completing a journey on foot or horseback or by boat or cycle.
At Gryffe High School we offer expeditions undertaken ONLY ON FOOT in mountainous and remote terrain.
There is an additional requirement at Gold Level which is a Residential Project. This introduces young people to an enterprise with a specific purpose. They will be in the company of people previously unknown to them and away from home in an unfamiliar environment, typically a youth hostel, camp or sailing ship.
TEN KEY PRINCIPLES OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD
1. Non-Competitive: The Award is a personal challenge, not a competition against others. Each pupil’s programme is tailor-made to reflect the individual starting point, abilities and interests.
2. Available to all: With a commitment to equal opportunities, the Award Programme is available to all young people who choose to take up its challenge
3. Voluntary: Young people make a free choice to enter the programme and commit their own time to undertake the activities.
4. Flexible: Young people design their own programme, which can be geared to their choice and personal circumstances and also to local provision. They may enter for whichever level of Award best suits them, and may take as long as they wish to complete an Award.
5. Balanced: By choosing activities in each of the four different Sections (five at Gold), pupils undertake a balanced and wide ranging programme.
6. Progressive: At each level, the Award Programme demands more time and an increasing degree of commitment and responsibility from pupils.
7. Achievement Focused: Before starting an activity, young people are encouraged to set their own goals. If they aim for those goals and show improvement, they will achieve their Award.
8. Marathon, not a sprint: The Award demands persistence and commitment and cannot be completed in a short burst of enthusiasm. Pupils may want to continue with activities beyond the minimum time requirements set out for each level of the Award.
9. Personal Development: The Award is a programme of personal and social development. The value to young people is dependent on personal commitment, the learning process and the quality of the experience.
10. Enjoyable: Young people and helpers should find participation enjoyable and satisfying.
BENEFITS
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is widely recognised by employers and people involved in further education. Some of the benefits to young people include:
· Developing self-confidence and self-reliance
· Gaining a sense of achievement and a sense of responsibility
· Discovering new skills, interests and talents
· Developing leadership skills and abilities
· Developing team building skills and abilities
They can also discover exciting opportunities; make new friends; experience teamwork, problem solving and decision-making; increase their motivation; enhance their self-esteem and develop their communication skills. They will also, of course, have fun!!
Participation in the Award gives young people the opportunity to develop time-management skills. All activities should be undertaken in their free (non directed) time and are often after school, lunch time or evening clubs or activities, or involve weekend events.
The Award is an excellent way for young people to have a great time with their friends, make new friends and do something highly rewarding with very real long-term benefits.
For example, an Award can provide an excellent stepping stone towards employment, and the pupil’s chosen activities may help in the selection of a suitable career path.
As a highly respected and valued personal development programme, the Award is an impressive and worthwhile addition to a CV.
In more general terms, the Award is also recognised for involving the pupil in the community, and instilling the skills and values that help a young adult become a good and responsible citizen. It can only enhance their credentials in terms of employability.
The Award invariably presents an exciting opportunity for the pupil. However, it is not always easy for a young person to remain enthusiastic and complete their Award, and this is where the parents play an important role.
From time to time it may be necessary for you to provide some encouragement, always remembering that there is a world of difference between encouragement and pressure.
Pupils at Gryffe High School are responsible for organising their own Skill, Volunteering and Physical. Where opportunities arise within the school, staff will endeavour to pass this information on to pupils, though it is the young person’s responsibility to make arrangements with the leaders of their activities. There may be an opportunity for pupils to volunteer within the school to assist with running of clubs or to be a Duke of Edinburgh Young Leader. This would normally be pupils looking towards Silver or Gold where they could support staff by assisting pupils at Bronze. Staff will regularly monitor progress via eDofE which is an on line system where they upload any evidence to support their Award. Where a pupil has not begun the other Sections by a set time, there is a possibility of being removed from the Award Programme –it is important to realise that we are an Award Group and is not considered merely as a Hill Walking Group.
Prospective pupils should be aware that the Award is very demanding in terms of time commitment and effort and that everything undertaken is in addition to their school work, not instead of. Participants can take ‘time-out’ from their activities as long as the Award is completed by their 25th birthday. If a pupil leaves their Award Group, for whatever reason, they can continue their work with another group. Their progress to date will be recorded in eDofE and will still count towards the Award.
THE AWARD AT GRYFFE HIGH SCHOOL
There is a dedicated team of staff in the school responsible for managing the Award on behalf of Renfrewshire Council. They are:
Mr Taylor, Education Support Manager
Miss Badger, Teacher of Biology
Mrs Stark, Science Technician
Mrs Greenaway, Support Staff
Mr Christie, Depute Head Teacher
Mr McClelland, Support Staff
Mr Crome, Volunteer
Mrs Hydes, Teacher of Business Education
All staff and volunteers have a PVG Certificate issued by Disclosure Scotland to work with Young People.
