Introducing DofE Award to Year 9

Humanities teacher Mrs Cauchi has launched Priory’s new-look Duke of Edinburgh scheme to our current Year 9s.

This year all Year 9s will undertake some kind of outdoor award – whether it’s the Priory Outdoor Award, the DofE Participation Award or the DofE Bronze Award.

The Priory Outdoor Award will be in three drop-down days in school and will involve volunteering activities such as litter picking and food bank deliveries, and core expedition skills such as map reading and route planning.

The DoE Participation Award is where pupils complete three DofE sections: Volunteering, Physical and Skills. These are done in pupils’ own time and completed through clubs, community involvement or personal hobbies.

The Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award is where pupils complete the first two and then undertake a two-day expedition, where pupils walk for six hours each day with overnight camping, and activities such as kayaking or raft building.

Mrs Cauchi: “We have tried to make it more inclusive so every pupil can come away with something.

“The Priory Outdoor Award will be done in school time so it overcomes barriers for pupils who may not be able to take part in the sessions after-school, due to other commitments.

“All these awards push pupils out of their comfort zones and they also see teachers in a different perspective which can help their learning in school.

“It allows them to enjoy different activities, try new things and come away with a qualification which is looked on positively on their CV.

“We want as many pupils as possible to complete the full DofE Bronze Award, the expedition is tough but it is also extremely rewarding. Just talking to the pupils who have done it, they speak about the memories they have made, the skills they have picked up and the fun they had, and that makes it all worth it.”

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