“Doing the D of E has helped me get a job as I struggled to gain work experience. So I needed achievements like this to help boost my CV. It has given me confidence that I can achieve anything I want to.” Jeremy D of E Gold Award achiever.

INTENT

What takes place before teaching in the classroom?

At St. Anthony’s the intention is that The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme will help to encourage all pupils – regardless of their background or academic ability – to expand their talents, interests, and broaden their horizons and develop their characters as individuals.The award takes pupils outside the comfort zone of the classroom and their social circle, broadens their horizons and gives them a positive approach to overcoming challenges and reaching individual goals.

Our broad, enriching programme aims to encourage children in key stage four to develop listening skills, increase their concentration, develop questioning skills, perseverance and encourage the ability to work successfully as part of a team. By taking part in activities and setting their own targets, pupils see their levels of achievement rise and their own enthusiasm, commitment and self-motivation increases also. This boosts their independence, responsibility and ability to reflect on the impact of their actions as they learn to work well and respectfully with others, becoming more confident and expanding their own aspirations.

We are committed to ensuring that pupils have the opportunity to take part in the award as it is widely recognised by teachers, higher and further education leaders and employers as one of the best models for encouraging and celebrating qualities like confidence and independence.

The DofE connects participants with new people and perspectives — whether in their expedition group, in clubs or teams for their Physical and Skills sections, or in their community when volunteering — fostering respect for others and an understanding of the value of active citizenship.

The Senior Leadership Team will:

  • Lead the school staff to develop a clear overarching curriculum intent which drives the ongoing development and improvement of all curriculum subjects
  • Ensure that the curriculum leaders have appropriate time to develop their specific curriculum intent through careful research and professional development.
  • Provide sufficient funding to ensure that implementation and delivery is high quality.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Curriculum Leader will work closely with the supporting staff to:

  • Understand and articulate the expectations of the DOFE Department to the Head teacher and Governing Body.
  • Support teaching and support staff.
  • Ensure an appropriate program is in place which supports all pupils in developing greater independence and responsibility.
  • Ensure an appropriate programme is in place over time so that pupils are supported to be the best citizens they can be, and challenges teachers to support those struggling individuals and extend  those more competent ones.
  • Ensure an appropriate progression of activities is in place that helps to support and  builds on prior personal development.
  • Ensure that the award is achievable for all young people, giving them the chance to achieve and develop – regardless of ability, background, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.

IMPLEMENTATION

What does this look like in the classroom?

Teaching and Learning

  • DofE provision is overseen by a qualified DofE Leader and Associate Teachers/SSA’s who specialise within the subject and have relevant outdoor education qualifications.
  • Those pupils who have chosen the award scheme in KS4have three lessons a week in both year 10 and 11.
  • The DofE curriculum has been developed to support St Anthony’s pupils with their individual journey , development, learning and help them achieve an appropriate level of accreditation in the award.
  • The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is one of the options available to KS4 pupils as they leave year 9 and pupils take part in a programme that supports the Bronze Award.
  • The DofE Department has detailed planning which links with our curriculum progression document.
  • Pupils are taught to set goals and overcome challenges, helping them to learn more about their capabilities, as they discover they can achieve things they might not have thought possible.
  • Sessions are engaging and pupils are challenged by the programme they are provided with.
  • Children have the opportunity to respond in a variety of ways. These may include roleplay, written work, homework, Makaton and discussion.
  • The programme on offer allows pupils to visit various locations and interact with various external agencies and other professionals.
  • These include working, as part of the volunteering programme, with the National Trust at Lavington Common, supporting local charities and taking part in activities that support the local community around school.
  • Pupils are also working with BCU paddlesport coaches, as part of their physical programme, to improve their fitness, develop an interest in water based sports and also enjoy time as a team on the water.

Classroom/Session Organisation

  • Pupils work in a whole class, small group or individually to support the development of their skills.
  • Differentiation and personalisation are planned for within activities and allowance is made for ability and experience.
  • Sessions are planned and delivered in safe outdoor learning environments to ensure that pupils feel secure and have the freedom to develop their skills at their pace.
  • We provide appropriate quality resources and experiences and use interactive whiteboards, laptops and iPads to enhance and support pupil development.
  • Equipment for pupils to use is provided, for example canoes, paddles and safety equipment for physical sessions, along with gardening equipment for the volunteering sessions with the National Trust. All pupils are taught to use the equipment properly and safely at all times.
  • Engaging displays and learning walls are evident.
  • Support staff are deployed effectively to enhance learning.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities:

  • Termly homework is available for those pupils who chose the award in KS 4 in the school homework booklets.
  • Pupils completing the award plan, train and take part in a 2 day 1 night qualifying expedition during the summer term of their final year at St Anthony’s.

IMPACT

How is success in D of E Award measured?

Our pupils develop:

  • because they are challenged by the programme which they are provided with.
  • The abilities to become resilient learners who are learning to overcome barriers and understand their own strengths and areas for development.
  • The independence and self-determination central to a DofE programme helping to increase their curiosity about themselves, other people and the wider world around them.
  • their own perspectives, and increase their understanding of others’ faiths, feelings and values.
  • Greater confidence, motivation, responsibility and reliability, which they can transfer to the classroom. Their commitment to the school and to extra-curricular activities improves as they work towards their DofE goals.
  • positive relationships with teachers as they interact with them outside of the classroom, and staff can increase their understanding of students’ abilities, interests and aspirations.

Assessment

  • Pupils successfully complete the three main sections of the award, volunteering, physical and Skills throughout KS4 and plan, take part and complete a 2 day 1 night expedition in Year 11. These combine to ensure that all pupils achieve a Bronze Award in their final year at St Anthony’s.
  • Pupils are provided with personalised trackers showing their sectional targets. These allow pupils to discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve upon.
  • Data is recorded termly and this enables staff to identify pupils who need additional support and develop those meeting or exceeding expectations.
  • Pupils are encouraged and nurtured to overcome any barriers to their learning or self-confidence because feedback is positive and focuses on skills and personal development.
  • Assessment shows that pupils develop skills and confidence over time because of careful planning, focused delivery and time to practice and hone skills.
  • Observation, listening, questioning, discussing, photographs and involvement in the activities are used to make assessments.
  • We monitor the impact of our DofE provision through termly assessment, lesson observations, learning walks, performance and work scrutiny.
  • In addition to personal achievement & development, social emotional progress including self-confidence, interaction with and awareness of others and self-reflection may be discussed during Annual Reviews, in EOY reports, parent consultation evenings, open evenings and in postcards home to parents.

For more curriculum information about what pupils study in this subject please visit our curriculum and exams provision page .

Curriculum and Exams Provision Link