The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

Offering our students a unique opportunity to develop resilience, confidence, and leadership skills

The British Section is proud to be a licensed centre for The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (DofE). As the world’s leading youth achievement award, it offers our students a unique opportunity to develop the resilience, confidence, and leadership skills that universities and employers value most.
 

What is the International Award?

The Award is a non-competitive personal challenge available to all students aged 14 and over. It encourages young people to step outside their comfort zone, discover new passions, and give back to their community.

There are three levels to the Award – Bronze, Silver, and Gold – each requiring a greater degree of commitment and independence.
 

The Four Core Sections

To achieve an Award, students must set themselves ambitious goals in four key areas:

1. Voluntary Service: Giving back to the community. Our students have volunteered in local charity shops, coached younger sports teams, or assisted in the Section libraries.
2. Physical Recreation: Improving fitness and performance in a sport of their choice, from rowing on the Seine to equestrian events or team football.
3. Skills: Developing a new personal or technical talent, such as photography, coding, cooking, or playing a musical instrument.
4. The Adventurous Journey: The highlight of the DofE experience. Students work in small teams to plan, train for, and complete an unaccompanied expedition in the wilderness.
    

The Adventurous Journey: Testing Grit and Teamwork

The "Adventurous Journey" is where the British Section’s spirit of adventure truly shines. Under the guidance of our Award Leaders, students learn essential skills such as:

• Navigation and Map Reading: Mastering the art of the compass and topographical maps.
• Campcraft: Setting up tents and cooking safely in the wild. 
• Team Dynamics: Learning how to lead, follow, and support one another when the terrain gets tough.
• Recent expeditions have taken our students through the rugged beauty of the French Alps, the Massif Central, and the Vexin National Park.
   

Why Pursue the DofE in the British Section?

• Global Recognition: The DofE is recognised by universities and employers in over 130 countries. It serves as powerful evidence on a UCAS personal statement or a CV that a student is well-rounded and self-motivated.
• A Break from the Academic: The Award provides a vital "breather", it encourages students to switch off their screens and engage with the physical world.
• Cross-Section Friendships: While the Award is run by the British Section, the expeditions often foster deep bonds between students that last long after the final rucksack is unpacked.
• Leadership: For recipients of the Bronze, Silver, or Gold Awards, the final "Residential Project" involves staying and working away from home with people they don’t know, providing a final "rite of passage" before university.
   

Support and Guidance

The British Section is lucky to benefit from a dedicated team of volunteer Award Leaders and Assessors who mentor students through their goal-setting and monitor their progress via the Online Record Book (ORB). We also host regular training sessions to ensure all students are safe and prepared for their expeditions.