DofE Award

St Bede’s is a registered centre for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Students opt to enrol for the Bronze Award at the end of Year 9 and work on their chosen activities during Year 10, aiming to complete the award by July. There are four sections: three individually chosen activities - physical, volunteering and skill - and the group expedition. Students show great commitment and determination through their participation in the award. Many try new things and gain a great deal from taking part. We are very proud of them all. 
  

Physical, Volunteering and Skills Sections 

The activities students choose are many and varied! For example, we have recently had water skiing and horse and carriage racing for the physical section, alongside more usual activities such as swimming and rugby. For volunteering our students often support their local youth groups and organisations such as Brownies, or volunteer formally at their church or for a local charity. For their skill, learning another language - be it Ancient Greek or Sign Language - or musical or drama participation are popular choices.   
  

Expedition Section  

For the expedition section, students choose their own groups. In the autumn and spring terms we have initial training on a day walk in the Cambridgeshire countryside and ‘first aid in the outdoors’ training alongside after school meetings to learn about kit, food planning and route planning. Early in the summer term we go for our expedition training weekend before the assessed expedition. The groups show grit and perseverance while working well as a team to make a success of their trip.  
  

Can you help?  

The school has a well-established team of teachers and volunteers who work with the students, training, supervising and assessing them. We are also pleased to have both parents and ex-St Bede's students volunteer. We are always very happy to hear from parents and carers who have some level of qualification or experience, and who would like to get involved in helping with the award.

For more details, please contact the Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator, Donald Henderson: DHenderson@stbedes.cambs.sch.uk