The Duke of Edinburgh's Award
What is DofE?
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) is a nationally recognised youth achievement award that helps young people develop confidence, resilience, independence and valuable life skills. Open to young people aged 14 and over, the award encourages participants to challenge themselves, try new activities and make a positive contribution to their community.
Fareham Academy offers two levels of the Award: Bronze and Silver and Gold. Participants complete activities in four sections:
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Volunteering – helping others and supporting the community
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Physical – improving in a sport, fitness activity or physical pursuit
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Skills – developing a new talent or enhancing an existing skill
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Expedition – planning, training for and completing a team expedition
Why take part?
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is much more than an extracurricular activity. It provides students with the opportunity to step outside their comfort zone, challenge themselves, develop new skills and create lasting memories with friends. Through volunteering, physical activities, skill development and expeditions, participants grow in confidence, independence and self-belief. These experiences are highly valued by colleges, universities and employers.
At our school, the DofE award complements and strengthens our core values of Aspiration, Resilience and Kindness:
Aspiration
DofE encourages students to set personal goals, learn new skills and strive to achieve their full potential. Whether mastering a musical instrument, learning to cook, improving sporting performance or completing an expedition, participants are continually challenged to aim high and achieve more than they thought possible.
Resilience
Completing a DofE Award requires commitment, determination and perseverance. Students learn to overcome challenges, manage setbacks and adapt to unfamiliar situations. These experiences help develop confidence and resilience that will benefit them throughout their education and beyond.
Kindness
Through the Volunteering section, students make a positive contribution to their community by helping others and supporting worthwhile causes. This fosters empathy, compassion and a sense of social responsibility, reflecting our belief in the importance of kindness and service to others.
By taking part in DofE, students develop the skills, qualities and experiences that help them become confident, responsible and well-rounded young people, prepared for the opportunities and challenges of the future.
Volunteering
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Volunteering is about giving your time to make a positive difference to other people, the local community, the environment or animals. It provides an opportunity to support causes that matter to you while developing valuable skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership and responsibility.
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At Fareham Academy, students are encouraged to make a meaningful contribution through a range of volunteering opportunities. These may include supporting extracurricular clubs, participating in community projects, or undertaking volunteering placements with local organisations and charities.
Physical
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The Physical section encourages students to improve their health, fitness and overall wellbeing through regular participation in a sport, dance or fitness activity. The focus is on setting personal goals, maintaining commitment and demonstrating progress over time.
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Students can choose from a wide range of activities, including team sports, swimming, running, martial arts, cycling, dance, gym-based fitness and many other physical pursuits. Whether developing an existing passion or trying something new, participants are encouraged to challenge themselves and build confidence through physical activity.
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Students may complete this section through activities undertaken outside of school or by participating in one of the many sports clubs and enrichment opportunities available at Fareham Academy.
Skills
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The Skills section encourages students to develop an existing interest or learn something completely new. Participants choose an activity that enables them to broaden their knowledge, improve their ability and demonstrate progress over time.
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There is a wide range of activities that can be used for this section, including creative arts, technology, music, languages, cooking, photography, first aid and many more. The focus is on personal development, commitment and building confidence through learning.
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At Fareham Academy, a variety of skill-based clubs and enrichment opportunities run throughout the year, giving students the chance to discover new interests and further develop their talents. Students may also choose approved activities that take place outside of school.
Expedition
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The Expedition section is often one of the most rewarding and memorable parts of the DofE experience. Participants work as a team to plan, train for and complete a self-reliant expedition with a shared aim. Along the way, students develop essential skills including teamwork, leadership, navigation, communication, problem-solving and resilience.
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At Fareham Academy, students take part in a comprehensive expedition training programme before undertaking their qualifying expedition. This includes mandatory training sessions covering route planning, navigation, campcraft, equipment use, safety procedures and expedition preparation. Students also complete practice walks to build their confidence and develop the skills required for success.
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Our expeditions take place in a range of outstanding locations, including the New Forest, South Downs National Park and the Jurassic Coast, with destinations varying according to the level of Award being undertaken. These environments provide students with the opportunity to challenge themselves, work collaboratively and experience the outdoors in a safe and supportive setting.
How to take part
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is open to students who are ready to embrace new challenges, develop their independence and commit fully to all aspects of the programme.
At Fareham Academy, the Bronze Award is offered to students in Year 8, with participants beginning their DofE journey in Year 9. Students who successfully complete their Bronze Award are then given the opportunity to apply for the Silver Award, allowing them to build on the skills, experiences and achievements gained through Bronze.
Each year, we host a Parent Information Evening where students and families can learn more about the Award, the expectations of participants and the opportunities available through DofE. Following the information evening, full details of the programme are shared via email and students wishing to participate are invited to complete an Expression of Interest form.
As places are limited, students are selected based on their commitment, suitability and readiness to undertake the responsibilities associated with the Award. Successful applicants will then receive further information regarding registration, payment schedules, mandatory training sessions and expedition dates.
All participants are expected to attend the compulsory training programme, which includes preparation sessions, practice walks and expedition training. These sessions ensure students develop the skills, knowledge and confidence required to safely and successfully complete their Award.
Throughout the Award, students are encouraged to take ownership of their own journey. DofE is designed to develop independence, responsibility and self-management, and participants are expected to organise their activities, meet deadlines and communicate effectively with their leaders and assessors. Whilst parental support is welcomed, students are encouraged to take the lead and become increasingly self-sufficient as they progress through the Award.
Students are not expected to do this alone; throughout their DofE journey they are supported by their DofE Leader and the wider DofE team, who provide guidance, encouragement and advice at every stage of the Award, from selecting activities and recording progress to preparing for expeditions and completing their sections.
Taking part in DofE is a significant commitment, but it is also an incredibly rewarding experience that helps students develop the confidence, skills and character needed to succeed both in school and beyond. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a chance to challenge yourself, discover new strengths, make a positive difference and create memories that will last a lifetime.
