The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award registration at Walton High starts in Year 9 and above (Bronze), this occurs in the first half term each academic year (September/October). Each level of the Award must be completed before the student is able to move on to the next level.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is the largest achievement award for young people in the world. It is a challenging programme of activities which will encourage participants to help others, learn new skills, get active and go on an adventure. The students’ record of achievement and reports are held online and after successfully completing each level, the student receives a certificate and badge celebrating and verifying their achievement.

Awards at Walton High start at the Bronze level which requires a three-month commitment to two of the three sections and six-month commitment to the third. Volunteering, Skill, Physical. The student decides which one they will do for six months.

There is also an expedition, which is organised and included in the first year of the award and is two days long. It starts on Friday from Walnut Tree. There is an overnight stay at a Milton Keynes campsite. The expedition finishes on Saturday at Milton Keynes Village.

The Silver Award is offered to students who have completed the Bronze Award (from Year 10 onwards), and to students in Post 16, Year 12, who can access it directly without achieving the Bronze. The timescales of the Silver Award are greater than the Bronze and greater again if it is undertaken as a direct entry.

The Gold Award is offered to students in Year 12 if they have completed the Silver Award. The timescales are longer than the Silver and the Gold Awards also include a five day residential element. Those students who achieve the Gold are invited to a Royal Palace to receive their award.

Whilst the practice expeditions for Silver and Gold are included in the Awards at Walton High, the qualifying expeditions, which are national are not. These need to be paid for separately and can be undertaken independently or with the school when the sections have been completed.

Information about each level of the Award and associated activities is updated regularly on the DofE page in Firefly.

If you wish to read Walton High's DofE walking expedition risk assessment please click on the link below:

DofE Walking Expedition Risk Assessment.

There is a weekly drop-in at both campuses for students to gain access to further support, help and advice directly:

Student Drop-in

  • Brooklands on Tuesday (tutor time, lunchtime and after school)
  • Walnut Tree on Wednesday (tutor time, lunchtime and after school)

Parents can speak with Mr Morgan, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Manager by using the contact details below:

Mr Morgan (The DofE Award Manager) via dofe@mket.org.uk or leave a message with Reception on 01908 677954.

Further information about the Award

Further information about the Award can be found at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award website https://www.dofe.org/

2023-24 Information

  • Bronze Registration opens W/C 11 September 2023 and closes Friday 20 October 2023.
  • Silver and Gold Registration opens W/C 16 October 2023 and closes Friday 15 December 2023.
  • Silver and Gold training starts January 2024
  • Bronze Information Evening at Brooklands - Tuesday 17 October at 5.30pm.
  • Bronze Expeditions take place Friday to Saturday in the Summer term.
  • Silver and Gold Practice Expedition July 2024 to Brecon Beacons

Volunteering

Expedition volunteers are always welcome and as long as you are willing to get involved, no experience is necessary. Full training will be given and volunteers will be supported throughout. All volunteering for Walton High and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is subject to DBS checks and references.