Duke of Edinburgh Award
Duke of Edinburgh at Upton-by-Chester High School
For 60 years now the Duke of Edinburgh's Award has been available to young people aged 14 to 24. Upton-by-Chester High School have run the Duke of Edinburgh's Award since 2013, which has been awarded 'a centre of excellence' status due to the exceptional success rate of participants completing their award in the space of one year for Bronze with us at Upton High.
During the award, students are involved in undertaking some community volunteering work, learning a new skill, some physical recreation and the ever popular expeditions. As the levels of the award are moved up each section becomes more challenging in the amount of time taken to complete.
DofE Bronze Award
This entry level of the award sees students undertake expeditions in the areas of Tattenhall and Burwardsley. (Two expedition weekends in July are organised for participants.) Both these environments are easy to navigate whilst also allowing students to get the feeling of the outdoors.
A Bronze DofE programme has 4 sections, Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition. You need be in Year 10 start a Bronze programme and you must do a minimum of 3 months activity for each of the Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections, and plan, train for and do a 2 day (1 night) expedition.
You also have to spend an extra three months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections. It's your choice which one and, though you can change your mind later, you should decide which section you want to do for longer at the beginning. Knowing how long you're going to do it for will help you to set your aims for the sections.
DofE Gold Award
Once you enter the Sixth form you can do your Gold DofE programme. If you’ve completed Bronze with us, or at another centre, you can follow the Gold Direct route. If you have attained your Silver award at another centre, then you will follow the traditional Gold route.
Gold or Gold direct will take 18 months to complete during your time with us at 6th Form.
The big difference at Gold, is you'll also do a Residential section - staying away from home for five days and four nights doing a shared activity with people you don't know. (If you have completed a residential with NCS, this may not be suitable due the age restrictions and when you start your DofE Gold. Please see Miss Seery for further advice on this). It's great fun and a real chance to do something different!
The pinnacle of the award sees our students undertake the most rewarding and challenging experiences there is to offer!
The expedition is a 4 day 3 night expedition, and will therefore take place around Easter and July, dates will be dependent on provider’s availability.
Frequently Asked Questions for DofE
How do I find or reset my eDofE username and password?
Participants often forget login details for their eDofE account. It is important that you remember the email address that you set the account up with. If you have further problems contact Mrs A Hewitt or Miss Seery at School
What evidence do I need to complete a section of the Award? How do I upload evidence to eDofE?
You can add as much evidence as you like for examples videos and pictures of you doing your activities but the minimum is an Assessor's report for every section.
This should include your name, the activity that you did, the dates between which you did the activity and then a short report about what you achieved. There are lots of ways your Assessor can do this but they will need your eDofE ID number:
Through the DofE website portal
Type up a word document and email that to you or your Leader
Fill in your Keeping Track booklet which you will then need to scan or photograph and upload it
When your Assessor's evidence has been uploaded to your account then you need to submit it for approval if you uploaded it. If your Assessor uploaded it then it will already have been approved by Mrs A Hewitt of Miss Seery and will come into your account automatically.
What does an Assessors report look like or contain?
Your Assessors Report
An Assessor report for each section is mandatory for every participant. You can provide a report in many different ways:
Online
To enter your report online, visit www.DofE.org/assessors and follow the instructions. You will need the participant's name, their eDofE ID number, their DofE level and the section you have assessed.
On paper
Please fill in your comments in their Keeping Track booklet and hand it back to the young person, who will scan it and upload it. You can also supply a certificate, letter etc. for them to scan or upload.
What should my Assessor's report contain?
Participant's name
The activity undertaken
The dates they did their activity
A short complimentary report about their achievements
Your name, role (and qualifications if necessary)
Assessors Report Template
Below are examples of acceptable Assessor Reports. With all reports there must be a signature or some form of verification whether a letter head or official company logo for the evidence to be valid.
(Participant Name) has been taking part in... (name and details of activity).
(Participant Name) started on... (date started) and has been a regular participant until... (date finished).
Throughout this time (Participant name) has undertaken... (short complimentary report regarding achievements on activity e.g. Physical- has improved fitness and skill during regular football training, Skill- has achieved next Music grade for regular attendance and practice, Volunteering- has become part of the wider School community due to helping with Yr7 reading mentor scheme.)
Signed
(Assessors Signature, role and qualifications if required)
How do I get my Award?
Before you can receive your award all sections of the award must be completed and sent for approval. First of all this is checked and verified by our DofE coordinator (Mrs A Hewitt for Bronze and Miss Seery for Gold) who will then send your evidence to the DofE office for final approval. Once this has been completed you will receive your award at a presentation evening held at School.
