Duke of Edinburgh Awards

Norwich school is proud of our Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and we offer all three levels of Bronze, Silver and Gold in full.

We have a variety of leaders and helpers, both teachers and support staff, who are available to help and assist participants to achieve their awards. Many participants achieve all three awards and pupils joining the school can sign-up for the award scheme at the appropriate level. Levels already achieved at other schools are automatically brought over to the school via the DofE’s system eDofE.

For general information on the Duke of Edinburgh award Scheme, see their website www.dofe.org

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is for all young people, regardless of their background or circumstances...we hear about the number of young people out of work, education or training on a daily basis and I believe the DofE has never been more relevant. We know employers, professions and Universities look for the DofE on young people's CVs; it could help them get that essential University place or first job." HRH, The Countess of Wessex, December 2011.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is for all young people, regardless of their background or circumstances...we hear about the number of young people out of work, education or training on a daily basis and I believe the DofE has never been more relevant. We know employers, professions and Universities look for the DofE on young people's CVs; it could help them get that essential University place or first job." HRH, The Countess of Wessex, December 2011.

The DofE programme offers you the challenge of organising, setting yourself goals for and undertaking activities in the three sections of volunteering, physical and skill. All sections need to be undertaken for at least the minimum time (see below for timescales) and for an average of 1hour a week over the whole minimum period. Each award also has an expedition section. At Gold the residential section is added.

A Guide to the DofE Award at Norwich School

Timescales for Each Award

  • Bronze

    You will be invited to sign up for Bronze when you start L5.


    Volunteering section: 3 months

    Physical section: 3 months

    Skills section: 3 months

    Expedition section: 2 days/1 night


    You also have to do 3 more months in one of the Volunteering, Physical or Skills sections.


  • Silver

    You will be invited to sign up for Silver when you start M5


    Volunteering section: 6 months

    Physical and Skills sections: One section for 6 months and the other section for 3 months

    Expedition section: 3 days/2 nights


    If you didn't achieve Bronze, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.


  • Gold

    You will be invited to sign up for Gold in L6 when you are 16.


    Volunteering section: 12 months

    Physical and Skills sections: One section for 12 months and the other section for 6 months

    Expedition section: 4 days/3 nights

    Residential section: Undertake a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights.


    If you didn't achieve Silver, you must undertake a further 6 months in either the Volunteering or the longer of the Physical or Skills sections.


The DofE Sections

There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver. At Gold the Residential section is added.

  • Volunteering

    Aim: To inspire young people to make a difference within their communities or to an individual's life and develop compassion by giving service to others.


    Volunteering is simply about choosing to give your time to help people, the community or society, the environment or animals.


    Your volunteering must not be done for a business but can be undertaken for a charity or not-for-profit organisation. You can help with community projects or help an individual.

  • Physical

    Aim: To inspire young people to achieve greater physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle through participation and improvement in a physical activity. 


    As long as you pick something that requires a sustained level of energy and physical activity, the possibilities are endless. Improve your football, rock climbing or dance skills or try a completely new sport or activity. Join a team or do it on your own. You don’t have to be super fit or world class – with the DofE; it’s about setting your own challenges, giving 100% and being the very best you can be.


  • Skill

    Aim: To inspire young people to develop practical and social skills and personal interests.


    The Skills section is about self-discovery. You may want to get better at something you already do, like playing a musical instrument, or learn something for the very first time, like how to design a website? This is a chance for you to challenge yourself.


  • Expedition

    Aim: To inspire young people to develop initiative and a spirit of adventure and discovery by planning, training for and undertaking an adventurous self-sufficient journey as part of a team.


    The expedition section consists of various school led training sessions before undertaking the training/practice expedition and then the qualifying expedition, both of which are undertaken in a group of friends organised by you.


    Bronze:  2 day, 1 night

    Silver: 3 day, 2 night - requires arrival day before start

    Gold: 4 day, 3 night - requires arrival day before start

  • Residential (Gold only)

    Aim: To inspire participants through a concentrated involvement with people they don't know, who are usually from different backgrounds, and bring alternative views to the challenges they will face. 


    If you’re going for your Gold DofE Award, you need to complete an additional Residential section. You can choose from a range of residential activities – from helping at a National Trust site in the UK to working with children in India. You need to spend five days and four nights taking part in a shared, worthwhile activity with people you’ve never met before. The programme must include evening activities and shared accomodation. A DofE residential will boost your independence and confidence and is a great way to leave a positive footprint on your and other people’s lives.


DofE News

DofE Gold take on the Peak District for their Practice Expedition!

By Eleanor Lewis • July 12, 2025
Three groups undertook their practice expedition at the end of term. The weather kept to the predictions, being warm and sunny. On the hottest day the groups left camp early, with altered routes to ensure water could be topped up several times. They all coped very well, arriving in campsites and shade before the highest temperatures were reached. The fourth group arrived and the first groups returned to Norwich. The training was repeated with a short walk to refresh and learn navigational skill, followed by some first aid training. The next day the group walked to their next campsite, where they adopted an 8th member which you can see with the team below!

Lower 6 Gold Participants Venture to the Yorkshire Dales

By Eleanor Lewis • October 24, 2024
23 L6 DofE Gold participants, in 4 groups, undertook their qualifying expedition at the start of half-term. They travelled up on Sunday and arrived in fine weather. A storm passed over further North overnight, so tents were shaking a bit but all were still in the right places in the morning. They set off on a damp Monday but no heavier rain than drizzle. The first day is always the worst, having to get use to the rucksacks and navigating, but all groups did well and arrived at their next campsites in good spirits. Tuesday and Wednesday saw improving weather, first cloud then more sunshine. The Yorkshire Dales scenes change under the different lighting, from dour, dark walls and shadows to shining grey walls and green grass. The expedition took place around Grassington, Darrowby in All Creatures Great and Small, and their routes took them past some farms and fields used in the filming. Wednesday night soon arrived and most groups had planned the best meal for that night. The sun shone till dusk, when the temperature dropped. They set off at 7am on Thursday morning, having to navigate by head-torches to start with. They arrived at the end point delighted to have finished but also proud of themselves and the groups. Tents were put up to dry in the sun and equipment cleaned, checked and handed in. Their DofE assessor debriefed each group, all of whom passed. The coach left on time, soon to stop at a service station for all to enjoy a meal of 'fast food'! Well done to all participants. A big thank you must go to the staff who helped with the expedition; without them giving up their time, these expedition would not be possible.

ONS INVITED TO GOLD DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE

June 12, 2023
To achieve a gold award, pupils must volunteer for twelve months as well as undertake a physical activity and learn a new skill. One of these must be done for twelve months and the other for six months, and they must be completed for one hour per week. Further to this, pupils must undertake a 4-day long expedition and a residential of their choice for five days. Congratulations to the following ONs who have successfully completed the gold award and, who attended Buckingham Palace in May in recognition of this.  Alexandra Ackerman; Edward Bayes; Elizabeth Collinson; Isabel Cutts; Jonathan Elkins; Gabriella Elwell; Luke Fox; Abigail Hill; Chloe Loveland; Ellie McKay; Joshua Means; Mustafa Mohammed; Frederick Paterson; Akshay Pissay; Freya Sarson; Harry Vincent; Emily White. As well as being an enjoyable experience, undertaking a Duke of Edinburgh award gives young people important life skills and can have a positive impact on their future. For example, one ON, Ellie McKay (16-21) said she took part in an archaeology dig in North Norfolk and enjoyed it so much she in now studying Ancient History and Archaeology at Durham University. ON Emily White (15-22) kindly wrote the following report about her trip to Buckingham Palace on 15th May to celebrate her Gold Award. “Upon the receipt of formal invitations and admittance cards, my expedition group of 5 arranged travel to London and, of course, a group rendezvous. At 10am, we entered through the front gates and then the garden entrance itself, along a processional pathway towards the West Terrace overlooking the expansive gardens. We were welcomed in by the British Army Band Tidworth, who also accompanied the coronation procession. Throughout the gardens, there were a series of satellite stages, where we heard from inspirational public figures who gave short talks and held Q&A sessions. These guests included Rav Wilding, Hugo and Ross Turner, Ade Adepitan MBE, Alice Beer, Kirstie Allsopp and Jon Culshaw. Norwich School Award holders found the talk by the Turner twins to be especially interesting – relating to the expedition section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award - in expeditions which push the boundaries of new technology and science. We also had the chance to explore Buckingham Palace gardens, with access to a map and descriptions of areas of interest, such as The Lake, established in 1827, and the Chamomile Lawn. Central to the event, however, were the speeches from the West Terrace, to reflect on all that we have accomplished. His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, congratulated Award holders on all five sections of the Gold Award; physical, skills, volunteering, a 5 day residential and 4 day expedition, and recognised the passion and resilience necessary for the completion of this. We also heard from Jermaine Jenas, and Ffion Davies, a 19-year-old Gold Award holder and on-call firefighter for South Wales Fire and Rescue Services, who spoke of completing her DofE in spite of several obstacles, inspiring her to embrace as many opportunities as possible and trust her capabilities. After the speeches from the West Terrace, the Norwich School group reminisced over the expedition section of the Award and had photos taken together which was a lovely way to conclude the morning of celebrations. In light of the event, the Award holders are not only proud of their accomplishments, but also keen to stay in touch with the DofE charity to help inspire the next generation of young people interested in the Award.” Photograph of ON Ellie McKay (16-21) with her certificate.
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