The Civilian Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

There are currently over 200 pupils involved in the Civilian Duke of Edinburgh ’s Award scheme at Bromsgrove School . It is also possible to work towards the awards through the Combined Cadet Force (CCF). There are three levels of the award:

All upper Fourths are given the opportunity to complete their Bronze Award. At Silver and Gold level, participation is voluntary. All levels of the award require participants to undertake four sections:

The Skill and Physical Recreation requirements can be met through our extensive extra-curricular programme. However, pupils with interests outside of the School are equally encouraged to develop these further.

Community Service is a rewarding activity, which all pupils have the chance to become involved with. It meets the requirements of the Service section.

The expedition programme begins in the Lower Fourth Form with Bromsgrove Badge and runs throughout the years, becoming increasingly more challenging.

At Gold level, there is an additional section to be completed: the Residential. This involves a 5 day, 4 night experience, in unfamiliar surroundings and aims t o broaden young people's experiences through involvement with others who are not known to them.

Further information about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award can be found on the Award website: www.theaward.org

For information regarding the Award at Bromsgrove please contact the Duke of Edinburgh’s coordinator, Mrs Sarah Ascough: SAscough@bromsgrove-school.co.uk

There are currently 62 pupils involved in the Civilian award at Bronze level. In the last academic year, over 20 pupils have achieved their Bronze award.

Pupil involvement with the Bronze Award begins at the end of the Lower Fourth Form with Lower Fourth Camp. Pupils then opt to participate further with the Award at the start of the Upper Fourth Form, as an alternative to joining the Combined Cadet Force.

In September, there is a two day Bronze expedition in Worcestershire. Pupils walk in the local countryside for six hours each day and camp overnight.

For the remainder of the year, Wednesday afternoon sessions are split equally between expedition training and community service.

Participation in the Silver Award in the Fifth Form is voluntary.

Expedition Training takes place during Thursday activity sessions, between September and Easter, culminating in the Qualifying expedition on Exmoor , once GCSE examinations have finished.

There is also an opportunity for a small group to undertake an expedition by Canoe. This involves additional regular training in Canoes to 3* level.

There are currently 45 pupils who have opted to participate in the award at Silver level. In the last academic year over 38 pupils achieved their Silver award.

The more challenging nature of the Gold Award, involves a greater commitment and longer period of involvement. However, most pupils are able to meet the requirements within the Sixth Form.

There are currently 111 pupils registered on the Civilian Gold Award programme. In the last academic year 17 pupils achieved their Gold Award and accepted r invitations to St James’ Palace.

Over two years, there will be a number of expedition choices. These will include the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, the Berwyns (North Wales), County Kerry (Southern Ireland) and Chamonix (France).

There is also an opportunity to pupils to complete their Gold Final expedition during the School’s World Challenge expedition. The proposed destination of the next adventure will be Zambia and Botswana in July/August 2007.

For more information on World Challenge, please see their website www.world-challenge.co.uk