The Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is the world’s leading achievement award for young people.

It aims to give all young people the chance to develop skills for work and life, fulfil their potential and have a brighter future.

Its balanced programme of activities develops the mind, body and soul in an environment of social interaction and team working.

The students achieve an Award by completing a personal programme of activities in four sections:

• Volunteering: undertaking service to individuals or the community
• Physical: improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities
• Skills: developing practical and social skills and personal interests
• Expedition: planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad

At Christ’s College Finchley we have students undertaking in all the DofE awards, Bronze, Silver and Gold. The groups are coordinated by Mr Gough and Mr Buckle who provide the necessary support for them to achieve their goals and complete their award.

The DofE promotes independence and encourages students to undertake in rewarding volunteering projects both in and outside of school. Examples include working in charity shops, assisting primary schools, participating in community work and running countless lunch and after-school clubs. If you know of any volunteering projects within the community, let us know and I am sure our students will be happy to help.

In addition to volunteering students develop their own skills both mentally and physically by undertaking in a range of activities. To round off their award they undertake in an expedition, two weekends away learning to camp, cook and navigate, working as a team to complete their objectives.