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
Why encourage your child to do Duke of Edinburgh?
It is a great opportunity to learn new skills, support their well-being and have some fun. The perfect chance to be independent, do something different and challenge themselves outside of their comfort zone. This is an opportunity that is not just for their CV but can also change your child’s life. It will help them to be part of a community and give back to it.
At present, all expeditions are on hold- awaiting confirmation of when these will run again. Students will choose activities in 3 categories: Skills, Volunteering and Physical. These can include running, watching penguins remotely, playing an instrument. For their participation they will receive a certificate of achievement and the actual award on completion of the expedition element in the future. Please see link below for more info on activity ideas: https://www.dofe.org/dofewithadifference/activities
Thamesmead Parents Letters
BRONZE
Bronze Recruitment Letter 2024 v2
Please register your interest here by Monday 4th November https://forms.office.com/e/JapsVKchkk
SILVER
Silver Recruitment Letter 2024 v2
Please register your interest here by Monday 4th November https://forms.office.com/e/4LQ3HU231b
Ridgeline Expedition and Training information
DofE Ridgeline Medical Information and Consent form Master
Advice to help finish the DofE Award
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh
Silver Duke of Edinburgh
Follow these links for further information:
https://www.surreyoutdoorlearning.uk/duke-of-edinburghs-award/dofe-info-for-parents
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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.

