Duke of Edinburgh's Award
“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has helped countless young people on their sometimes difficult path to adulthood.” HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT
For the past seven decades, the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award has inspired and transformed the lives of millions of young people from all walks of life. From volunteering to physical activities, life skills to expeditions, achieving a DofE Award is a passport to a brighter future, valued by employers and universities.
It is the world’s leading youth achievement award and part of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, which drives and supports global growth. For more information please email info@harriscrystalpalace.org.uk.
To speak to the DoE coordinator at Harris Crystal Palace, please email Ms Phoebe West.
Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards
We believe that enrichment activities such as the DofE provide students with a well-rounded education, giving them the confidence and skills needed for a successful future. For many years, The DofE Award has been a significant part of the school life, aligning with both our values and ethos.
The award starts at Bronze level, which is offered to students at the beginning of Year 9. If students enjoy the award, they can progress to completing their Silver Award in Year 10 and their Gold Award in Year 12.
At each level of the award, there are four main sections that the participants will need to complete, in order to achieve their full certificate:
- Volunteering: providing a service to the community.
- Physical: improving skills within a sport or personal fitness.
- Skills: developing practical skills such as cooking or learning to play an instrument.
- Expedition: planning and training for a hike and camping in the countryside.
For the volunteering, physical and skills sections of the award, students will need to choose the two activities they would like to complete for three months in total, and the remaining activity, for six months.
The DofE Award is a fantastic opportunity for students to broaden their skills, have fun, make new friends, and discover new talents. It encompasses all five of our school’s CORE values: Community, Courage, Courtesy, Co-operation and Contribution.
We encourage all students to take part in the award, highlighting the importance of its link to careers and employability. By participating, students gain ‘soft skills’ such as communication, commitment, leadership and teamwork. These skills provide students with confidence and an edge over other others when applying for apprenticeships, university and their future careers. The award is also recognised as a true mark of achievement and is regarded highly by employers.
