The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is a voluntary non-competitive programme of activities for anyone aged 14-24. Completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award gives young people the opportunity to experience new activities, discover new interests and talents, and develop essential skills to prepare young people for life and work. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a recognised mark of achievement; respected by employers.
KEVI Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy offer the Bronze Award to students in year 9 and above.
What Is Involved?
The Bronze Award is made up of four sections:
1. Volunteering (3 months)
Students give their time to help others and make a positive difference in the community.
Examples: charity shop work, helping at a club, tutoring younger pupils, environmental projects.
2. Physical (3 months)
A chance to get active and improve fitness in any sport or physical activity.
Examples: football, dance, running, swimming, martial arts.
3. Skills (3 months)
Students learn something new or develop an existing interest.
Examples: cooking, photography, music, coding, art.
*One of the above three sections must be extended to 6 months.
4. The Expedition (2 days / 1 night)
Students work as part of a team to plan and complete a walking expedition. They learn navigation, campcraft, and teamwork, and experience the challenge of an overnight camp. Before completing the assessed expedition, all Bronze participants take part in DofE training. This prepares students with the practical skills, safety knowledge and teamwork abilities needed to complete their journey confidently and safely.
Training is delivered by school staff and an approved DofE provider which includes both theory sessions and practical outdoor activities.
Why Take Part?
Taking part in the Bronze DofE helps students to:
- Build independence and self-confidence
- Learn new skills for life
- Gain a sense of achievement
- Improve teamwork and leadership
- Strengthen future applications for college, university, apprenticeships or employment
Useful links to find out more about DofE can be found here:
DofE Video: Bronze | start your DofE
A Guide for Parents and Carers: Parents-Info-Booklet-A4.pdf
Activity Ideas: Programme-ideas-complete-list-september-2025.pdf
The National DofE website: DofE – The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Kit
We always aim to keep costs as low as possible for parents and carers, as expedition equipment can be expensive. To help avoid unnecessary expenses, we can lend the following items:
- Trangia stoves (including fuel)
- 3-man tents
- 2-man tents
- Large rucksacks
- Sleeping bags
- Foam roll mats
- Map and compass
- 1st Aid kit
- Walking boots* (We recommend that students wear their own walking boots, as a proper fit helps prevent blisters and ensures comfort. However, we do have a limited number of high-quality boots available to borrow. If using borrowed boots, we strongly advise students to wear them in advance of the expedition to break them in)
Essential Kit for Students on Expedition
Clothing:
- Walking boots (well-fitted and broken in)
- Walking socks (2–3 pairs)
- Waterproof jacket (with hood)
- Waterproof trousers
- Base layers (tops and leggings)
- T-shirts (avoid cotton if possible)
- Fleece or warm mid-layer
- Walking trousers (not jeans)
- Warm hat and gloves (weather-dependent)
- Sun hat
- Spare warm layer
Camping & Sleeping:
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping mat (roll mat)
- Torch or headtorch + spare batteries
- Personal wash kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, small soap, etc.)
- Towel (microfibre recommended)
Food & Cooking:
- Meals and snacks for the expedition
- Lightweight plastic bowl, mug, and cutlery
- Water bottles (minimum 2 L total)
Personal Items:
- Notebook and pen/pencil
- Personal first-aid items (plasters, blister care, any medication)
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Insect repellent
- Whistle
- Emergency snacks
How to Sign Up
Students interested in joining the Bronze Award can register by contacting the school’s DofE Coordinator or through the sign-up form provided at school. Training and support are provided throughout the programme.
