A life-changing experience. A fun time with friends. 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 Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is many things to many people, supporting generations to successfully navigate adult life. 

We encourage our students to participate in the DofE programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. 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.

There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.

Achieving an Award will give you skills, confidence and an edge over others when you apply for university or a job. Beyond your academic achievements, universities want to see evidence of so called ‘soft skills’ that you have developed through extra-curricular activities, such as communication, commitment, leadership and teamwork. Your DofE Award is fantastic way to demonstrate and evidence these skills in practice.

We have a very active participation at The Isle of Wight Education Federation and have over 100 students engaged in the Award scheme each year. Many continue the Award that they started in their previous schools, whilst others carry on the Award after leaving us and going on to University or employment. Our young people volunteer their time with many of the charitable organisations across the Island. They have developed many new and exciting skills such as medieval sword fighting, Beekeeping, Warhammer, Mandarin conversation and origami as well as the more traditional ones like First Aid, learning to drive or becoming a sports coach. Groups plan and complete their own expeditions under the guidance of our qualified staff and DofE Manager.

The Gold groups mainly operate in the Brecon Beacons, whilst Silver and Bronze generally use the New Forest and South Downs to journey through. We have an excellent expedition store with high quality rucksacks, tents and stoves for the students to use; Including seven hybrid bikes with trailers. These have been as far as France and Wales in recent times.

For more information please contact dofe@iwef.org.uk and full details of the award can be found at www.dofe.org

The enrolment form can be found by clicking the link below.