D of E Award

What is the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award?

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a challenging programme of activities which enables young people to learn new skills, help others, and experience adventure, and will give a great sense of achievement.  Many organisations, such as employers and universities take a very positive view of young people who have achieved it.

The programme is based on ten guiding principles, which are:

• Non competitive – a personal challenge – not a competition

• Achievable by all – regardless of ability, gender, background or location

• Voluntary – young people choose to undertake a programme and commit some of their free time to it

• Personal Development – commitment and achievement inspires personal and social development

• Personalised – young people design their own programme, setting their own goals

• Balanced – challenges young people in different aspects

• Progressive – each level requires greater time, commitment and responsibility

• Achievement focused – young people set their own challenging goals to achieve the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

• Demand commitment – persistence and commitment must be demonstrated with participants encouraged to continue beyond the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Overview, Key Dates and Application Form

DofE Awards

DofE Expedition Key Dates 2019

Follow these links for further information:

Surrey Duke of Edinburgh Guide for Parents

Duke of Edinburgh Award (parents) website

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Thank you to the Heathrow Community Fund

Thamesmead would like to thank The Heathrow Community Fund for providing funding to purchase additional equipment for our Duke of Edinburgh students. The compasses and trangia burners meant they didn’t get lost and they had hot food in the evenings.

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Thamesmead Adventure

Thamesmead Adventure is a whole school, inclusive programme of great days out, residential trips and courses to enjoy outdoor life and the excitement and challenge of outdoor pursuits and activities.  It aims to promote physical and mental well-being, develop character, gain specific knowledge and skills and generally encourage a positive attitude to life.  Most importantly Thamesmead Adventure gives everyone the chance to succeed.

Students can participate in adventurous activities throughout their school career.

Year 7 Thames Young Mariners A great day building a raft and friendship at the start of Year 7 with opportunities to learn how to kayak and canoe.  Saturday 29th September 2018.
Year 8 Activity Residential A weekend away, working as a team at height, team games and trying new sports, such as archery.  Takes place each July
Year 9 Tree-runners A day in the trees, navigating ropes, zip-wires and obstacles at a level of challenge of your own choosing.  Saturday 27th April 2019.
Year 10 TBC
Year 11 Army Engagement Team A team-building day that applies your knowledge and skills to the challenges facing the British Army.

In addition, students can participate in a number of activities that include an expedition.  This includes:

Finally there are courses to learn or develop a new outdoor skill.  The courses planned for 2018/19 include:

  • Rowing
  • Climbing

Look for when these courses are running in the Thamesmead Plus calendar.