2023/24 Applications Now Open

We would like to invite parents to attend a virtual information evening regarding the award and how we facilitate it at the Priory LSST. The information evening will be running through MS Teams at 1900hrs on Wednesday 27^th September 2023. Parents of students wanting to apply for the award are encouraged to attend the meeting in order to receive all the information required to support your child and understand the expectations attached to this opportunity. If you are interested in attending this virtual meeting please could you register your interest at: Parents Information Evening Survey link 

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) Scheme was founded in 1956 by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. His aim was to give the young people of the time a challenge to go out and experience different physical activities, meeting people and making new friends, become more self-sufficient, to help others and develop new skills. These are still very much relevant today.

The DofE Award, as it is more popularly known today, is open to all Priory Academy LSST students from the age of 14. There are three Award levels; Bronze, Silver and Gold. Within each level there are four sections, although at Gold level the scheme includes a fifth “residential" element.  The sections are; Physical, Skills, Volunteering, and an Expedition. Self-development plays a key part of the award. As students’ progress through the levels, the time element within sections becomes longer culminating in the Gold Award which is 12 months (18 months for direct entry) with an 80km expedition in Wild Country over four days. Although the award is available to anyone between the ages of 14 and 25, it is the aim of the academy that DofE Awards are completed within the time frame of Years 9 to 13. There are ten “Guiding Principles” which are at the heart of the Scheme and drive the programmes.

Guiding Principles

• The DofE Award is non-competitive.
• The DofE Award should be achievable by all.
• It is voluntary.
• The DofE Award should inspire personal and social development.
• The DofE Award is personalised to fit the needs of the individual participant.
• The participant should complete a balanced and wide-ranging programme.
• The DofE Award is progressive through its levels in terms of time, commitment and responsibility from the student.
• Before starting an activity the participants are encouraged to set their own challenging goals; the aim being that if they achieve these and show improvement they will achieve the DofE Award.
• The DofE Award programme demands a high commitment and level of perseverance.
• The participant should find the activities both enjoyable and rewarding.

More information can be found by looking at www.dofe.org

2023/2024 DofE Application Process:

The window to apply for a place in the 2023/2024 cohort is now open and will remain open until 0900hrs Wednesday 4th October 2023. 

Year 9 

Further to the national changes a couple of years ago we are now able to offer the Bronze DofE award to all students in Year 9. They will receive an assembly introducing the award followed by an email with the letters of application.

In addition to the information for students there will be a virtual Parents’ Information Evening using MS Teams for parents to attend and gain a better understanding of the award, the way that LSST facilitate it and the commitment required. This presentation will be on Wednesday 27th September at 1900hrs. An In Touch message has gone out to all parents inviting them to register their interest in the presentation. This invitation will close on the 26th September and a further message with instructions and a link to the meeting will then be issued on the 27th September 2023. 

Those then wanting to apply for the award must complete the application, handwritten and submit by the 4th October closing date. The applications will then be sifted and results will be communicated direct to the candidate’s home address. Places are limited for the Bronze award to 42 candidates per year group. A reserve list will be established, but no guarantees can be made as to whether we will be able to call forward any of those on this list. 

The Bronze Award will cost £300 (this includes all training, expeditions and loan equipment) and candidates will be required to commit to 6 Saturday training days and two 2 day expeditions (a practice and the qualifier). This is in addition to their individual section commitments for 3-6months. 

Years 10 & 11

Years 10 & 11 will be eligible this year to apply for the Silver award. Having already received an introduction to DofE last year students won’t receive an assembly this year, but instead they can access the assembly PowerPoints here on the website below. The letters of application have been released by email to all Year 10 &11 students along with the provisional schedule of events for the training year.  

In addition to the information for students there will be a virtual Parents’ Information Evening using MS Teams for parents to attend and gain a better understanding of the award, the way that LSST facilitate it and the commitment required. This presentation will be on Wednesday 27th September at 1900hrs. An In Touch message has gone out to all parents inviting them to register their interest in the presentation. This invitation will close on the 26th September and a further message with instructions and a link to the meeting will then be issued on the 27th September 2023.  

Those then wanting to apply for the award must complete the application, handwritten and submit by the 4th October closing date. The applications will then be sifted and results will be communicated direct to the candidate’s home address. Places are limited for the Silver award to 24 candidates. The Academy will accept direct applicant Silver candidates on merit. A reserve list will be established, but no guarantees can be made as to whether we will be able to call forward any of those on this list.  

The Silver Award cost will be confirmed shortly. The cost will include all training, expeditions and loan equipment and candidates will be required to commit to 6 Saturday training days and two 3 day expeditions (a practice and the qualifier). This is in addition to their individual section commitments for 6-12 months. 

Year 12  

6th form applicants will be emailed and encouraged to apply for the Gold award if they have previously completed at least one of the earlier awards (Bronze or Silver) or the International Award. Due to the difficulty of the navigation and expedition side of the award, direct entry is generally inappropriate. Individual cases with significant walking and navigating experience may be considered. 

In addition to the information for students, there will be a virtual Parents’ Information Evening using MS Teams for parents to attend and gain a better understanding of the award, the way that LSST facilitate it and the commitment required. This presentation will be on Wednesday 27th September at 1900hrs. An In Touch message has gone out to all parents inviting them to register their interest in the presentation. This invitation will close on the 26h September and a further message with instructions and a link to the meeting will then be issued on the 27th September 2023.  

The Gold Award cost will be confirmed shortly. The cost will include all training, expeditions and loan equipment and candidates will be required to commit to 6 Saturday training days and two 4 day expeditions (a practice and the qualifier) and a one week residential course. This is in addition to their individual section commitments for 12 – 18 months. 

The Academy does limit the places available each year at the three levels. In order to secure a place on the DofE Award students must complete an application process to bid for a place.  

This year’s closing date for the Bronze, Silver and Gold applications is Wednesday 4th October 2023 

A fantastic insight into the challenges of the DofE award – Gold 2018 – Yorkshire Dales – Vlogo

Gold 2018 Expedition Video

If you have any questions please contact Mrs C Thompson on LSSTDofE@prioryacademies.co.uk or via 01522 871395.