Duke of Edinburgh Award

Harris Academy Riverside is currently supporting and sponsoring selected students towards their Bronze Awards.

During the academic year 2023/2024, 24 students achieved their Bronze Award. 

The academy funds for every student who expresses an interest the first three sections of the award; the physical, skills and volunteering sections. Parents and carers then have the option to fund the expedition section which completes the award. In this way, the academy opens the door to new opportunities for all students from all backgrounds, allowing students to experience and achieve new things and develop their confidence and social skills. In certain cases, where students are particularly committed but funds are scarce, the academy may fund or part fund the expedition section.

The academy will begin to recruit for Duke of Edinburgh in October 2024 with a focus on students in year 9.

What is DofE?

DofE gives students opportunities to experience and explore outdoor places that are on their doorsteps. Students will learn life skills, how to survive in the outdoors, how to map-read and how to work in a team in order to successfully complete challenges. They will learn how to cook basic meals, keeping themselves safe and healthy in the outdoors. 

In order to complete the award our students undertake a series of challenges. They are asked to complete three sections in a set period of time. The three sections are Physical, Skill and Volunteering. 

Physical section requires students to take part in an extra-curricular sporting club whether that be in or outside of the academy. This could be anything from joining a Rugby club to doing work-outs from home.

Skill section requires students to learn a new skill. This could be anything from learning how to do calligraphy to learning a new language. 

Volunteering section requires students to volunteer their services in order to support others. This could be something as easy as helping with Year 7 prep club to volunteering for an animal shelter or volunteering at a club within the academy.

Once students have completed these sections in the time period chosen, they will be invited to complete their award by embarking on the Expedition section of the process. Students will need to complete a practice expedition and an assessed expedition on two separate occasions.

How to use the eDofE app:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D80IGvCwbhM

How to complete an assessorts report:

Please note students can not be related to their assessors - however they could ask one of their teachers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX0lrfI3Uc8

DofE HARI Booklet:

Students will be given a copy of the below booklet; it is very important they bring this to every DofE meeting as we will be signing it. They also must ask their assessor to sign their diaries after every session. 

Additional Information for Parents/Carers:

https://www.dofe.org/do/parents/

To find out more about DofE at Harris Academy Riverside, please email info@harrisriverside.org.uk and direct your question to Miss McLoughlin or Miss Day (DofE Co-ordinators).