The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award offers an individual challenge to young people between the ages of 14 and 25. It consists of a balanced, non-competitive programme of voluntary activities, which encourages personal discovery and growth, self-reliance, perseverance, responsibility to themselves and service to the community. In order to gain an award a pupil must show improvement through persistence and achievement.

Universities and future employers are often keen to interview candidates who have gained Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, because they know that such involvement means a young person is proactive and may have developed a whole host of skills.

• Volunteering- pupils offer service to individuals or the community. This can range from teaching primary pupils to read, visiting the elderly, clearing footpaths to recycling within the School.
• Skill – this essentially means a hobby. It encourages discovery and development of practical and social skills and personal interests.
• Physical Recreation – Encourages participation/improvement in physical activity.
• Expedition – this encourages a spirit of adventure and discovery. At all levels of the award, appropriate training is given and practice expeditions take place.