Soundwell Academy is very proud of the opportunity to get students to engage in and achieve the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Completing the award is a life-changing experience. A wonderful opportunity to make friends and explore different ways of living. An opportunity to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work. A recognised mark of achievement; respected by employers.

The DofE is many things to many people, supporting generations to successfully navigate adult life.

Students at Soundwell Academy can do a DofE programme at one of two progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze or Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. In Year 9 students can complete the Bronze Award. In years 10 and 11 students have the opportunity to complete the Silver Awards.

There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills as well as planning, training for and completing an expedition.

Any young person can do their DofE – regardless of ability, gender, background or location. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.

Through a DofE programme young people have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence. They gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, enhancing CVs and university and job applications. Top employers recognise the work-ready skills Award holders bring to their business.

The DofE licenses organisations that work with young people to run DofE programmes, such as schools, colleges, youth groups and clubs. Through the Licensed Organisation (LO) young people (or their parents / carers) pay for a Participation Place and are supported by Leaders who support them through their programmes, helping them to choose their activities, set their objectives and achieve their Award.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a registered charity, funded by donations, Participation Places and licences. The charity works with LAs across the UK to increase opportunities for young people to gain the benefits of doing their DofE.