The Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award Scheme is designed for young people aged between 14 and 25 years. It is a challenging programme of activities that helps participants learn new skills, help others and experience adventure.

Forest Hill School is proud to offer the Bronze and Silver awards to students in Year 9 upwards. Gold award is offered at Sixth Form, provided there are sufficient numbers of participants.

To complete the Award each participant must participate in the following:

• Volunteering in the local community (giving back to local primary schools, our school library, sports teams and local care home are all examples of recent volunteering posts by FHS students)
• Pursuing a skill or hobby (learning a new skill or significantly developing an existing skill such as music performance, web design, cooking, or sports coaching)
• Taking part in physical recreation (fitness training or performing and training for a sport)
• Planning, training for and completing a self-sufficient expedition (students are required to read a map, cook, pitch a tent, learn first aid, and walk for 6 hours a day in the north Kent countryside)

All activities must be completed for a minimum of 1 hour per week over a 3-month period for the Bronze award.

Students learn to be self-reliant, independent, active and giving, and all thoroughly enjoy the experience. With guidance from our dedicated staff, they follow their chosen activities and report on progress via an electronic record. For each section, there are minimum standards of achievement and once these have been met, students qualify for the award.

The value of the DoE Awards is well recognised by UCAS and future employers, who value the qualities developed by those who participate in the scheme.

Further information about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme is available at www.dofe.org

or you can contact our DofE Coordinator, Mr Matthew Griffiths: m.griffiths@foresthillschool.co.uk