DUke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of activities for 14–25 year olds, designed to offer pupils a personal and individual challenge. At Graveney we encourage students to develop their teamwork skills whilst also promoting the independence and resilience to complete each section successfully.
The Award was founded in 1956 and has been running at Graveney School for almost 20 years. In 2023-2024 we had over 400 students working towards one of their awards.
There are three levels of award: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Here at Graveney, we run the Bronze Award in Year 9, the Silver Award in Year 10 and the Gold Award in Years 12 and 13.
Each one of these awards requires completion of an activity in four sections (five at gold):
Volunteering – giving help in your local community. Participants choose from commitments such as: first aid, child care, conservation, lifesaving, award leadership, sports leadership award, charity volunteering and fundraising.
Physical – This section of the award is based on individual improvement and achievement on a physical activity ranging from sport, dance or fitness.
Skills – Participants can choose from many leisure time activities. They must show progress and perseverance.
Expedition – Participants plan, train for and then undertake a journey in the countryside. The qualifying expedition is undertaken in small teams, unaccompanied, though supervised and assessed by adults.
Residential - At Gold level there is a fifth element, a residential project where participants undertake a 5-day shared activity in a residential setting away from home.
The programme is very flexible and allows students to choose from a wide range of activities. They could start something new they've always wanted to do or work on an activity they already enjoy!
For more ideas visit the DofE website here: https://www.dofe.org/do/ideas/
e D of E
After successful application, enrolment and payment students will receive their eDofE logins or access to the next level of their DofE award.
This is the area where participants upload their sectional plans, (to be approved by a DofE leader), and finally submit all evidence for completion of each section.
Getting Started with DofE
How to set up your EDofE account
More 2024-25 resources coming soon!
EXPEDITION DATES ALL LEVELS SUMMER 2025
GREEN FLASH - BRONZE DofE
Qualifier Expedition
- Expedition 1: Monday 9th - Tuesday 10th June 2025
- Expedition 2: Tuesday 10th - Wednesday 11th June 2025
- Expedition 3: Wednesday 11th - Thursday 12th June 2025
- Expedition 4: Thursday 12th - Friday 13th June 2025
PURPLE FLASH - SILVER DofE
Practice Expedition
- Expedition 1: Monday 19th - Wednesday 21st May 2025
- Expedition 2: Wednesday 21st - Friday 23rd May 2025
Qualifier Expedition
- Expedition 1: Monday 7th - Wednesday 9th July 2025
- Expedition 2: Wednesday 9th - Friday 11th July 2025
YEAR 12 - GOLD DofE
Practice Expedition:
- Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd June 2025
Qualifier Expedition:
- Thursday 17th July to Monday 21st July 2025
Get the D of E app
Link: Get the DofE app now!
The app (lets you start, manage and finish your programme by bringing eDofE to your mobile. You can download the app for free from the App Store on iPhones and Google Play on Android phones using the link above.
- Use the app to:
- plan your programme and get approval from your Leader
- record evidence
- message your Leader
- submit your programme for completion
- sync important dates to your phone calendar
- and add your personalised DofE Card to your digital wallet, so you can easily use your exclusive discounts
Useful links and resources
DofE Assessor
The section assessor can choose to fill out the assessor evidence online rather than in the provided booklet. https://www.dofe.org/assessor/
please note
Assessors must not be family members!
Expedition Resources - All levels
- Equipment List - Open Country Bronze
- Equipment List - Open Country Silver
- Equipment List - Wild Country
- What to take on Expeditions
- NEW Beginner's Guide to Map Reading - Videos: understanding scales; grid references; using a compass and more.
- NEW Map Reading Skills Advanced Guide - Videos: never get lost navigation skills; pinpointing your location; reading contours and relief and more.
- NEW More map reading videos. Learn basic, yet essential map reading skills to help you navigate whilst outdoors.
- How to pack a rucksack
- How to pitch your tent - Bronze & Silver
- How to pitch your tent - Gold
- Food on Expeditions
- Expedition Aims & Goals how to fill in on eDofE
- E Mapping - video
- First Aid & Emergencies - video
- First Aid & Emergencies - Powerpoint.
- Looking after your feet