DofE – The Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh Award at North Ridge has been running for over 10 years.  We continue to have great success at all levels; Bronze, Silver and Gold. 

We offer a very bespoke program with a key focus on making the award enjoyable, achievable, none competitive and progressive.  Our belief at North Ridge is that all pupils have a right to access such an exciting programme and we are committed to helping pupils achieve their goals within the programme itself. 

For all levels of the Award, pupils are involved in skills, physical activities and volunteering, as well as an expedition.  The Gold Award is the highest obtainable DofE Award, it includes the same 4 sections from the Bronze Award together with a 5-day residential, although the expedition is longer in time – 4 days.

We are so immensely proud to be the first SEND provision in Doncaster to achieve the Gold Award with our pupils.  It was an absolute privilege for both our staff and pupils to be among the guests at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh and receive recognition for all of our efforts here at North Ridge.  The Gold Award continues to be acknowledged amongst employers as the second most important criteria after academic success.

Benefits of the DofE

Completing a Duke of Edinburgh Award is a fantastic opportunity that allows our pupils to continue current activities or new skills as part of the physical recreation, skills and volunteering sections of the Award. It also allows pupils to make new friends and develop their teamwork skills, which are important throughout the rest of their education and beyond. 

In addition, pupils gain essential life skills such as resilience, self-esteem and confidence which helps to prepare them for life after school and the world of work.