2025/26 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 Academy LSST. The information evening will be held on Monday 16/06/2025. 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.

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

2025/2026 DofE Application Process:

Year 9 – Bronze Award 

All Year 8 students have been sent letters of application via email, along with a provisional schedule of events for the upcoming training year. These dates will be confirmed in September once the Academy calendar is finalised and we receive guidance from the Department for Education regarding next year’s examination process. 

Students wishing to apply for the Bronze Award must complete a handwritten application and submit it by 26th June 2025. Applications will be reviewed, and results will be sent directly to the candidate’s home address. Please note that places are limited to 42 candidates per year group. A reserve list will be created, but we cannot guarantee that any students on this list will be offered a place. 

The estimated cost of the Bronze Award is £300, which covers all training sessions, expeditions, and loan equipment. Participants will be expected to attend six Saturday training days and take part in two two-day expeditions—a practice and a qualifying expedition. In addition, students must complete their individual section commitments over a period of three to six months. 

 

Year 10 – Silver Award 

Year 10 students are eligible to apply for the Silver Award. As they were introduced to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award last year, there will be no assembly this year. Instead, students can access the assembly presentation slides via the Academy website. Letters of application and the provisional training schedule have been emailed to all Year 10 students. 

Applications must be handwritten and submitted by 26th June 2025. As with the Bronze Award, applications will be reviewed and results sent to the candidate’s home address. There are 24 places available for the Silver Award. Direct applicants will be considered on merit, and a reserve list will be maintained, though placement from this list is not guaranteed. 

The estimated cost of the Silver Award is £350, which includes all training, expeditions, and loan equipment. Candidates must commit to six Saturday training days and two three-day expeditions (practice and qualifier). They will also need to complete their individual section commitments over a period of six to twelve months.

 

Year 12 – Gold Award 

Sixth Form students who have previously completed either the Bronze or Silver Award—or the International Award—are encouraged to apply for the Gold Award. Due to the complexity of the navigation and expedition components, direct entry is generally not suitable. However, students with significant walking and navigation experience may be considered on an individual basis. 

Applications for the Gold Award must be submitted via email to lsstdofe@prioryacademies.co.uk by 11th July 2025. 

The estimated cost of the Gold Award is £450, which includes all training, expeditions, and loan equipment. Participants must attend six Saturday training days, complete two four-day expeditions (practice and qualifier), and take part in a one-week residential course. Additionally, they must fulfil their individual section commitments over a period of twelve to eighteen months. 

Gold 2018 Expedition Video

If you have any questions please contact Mr D Hill on LSSTDofE@prioryacademies.co.uk or via 01522 871395.