The DofE is a great chance for your child to broaden their horizons, discover new interests and talents, have fun with friends, develop essential skills for their future and achieve an internationally renowned Award. 

As Rushden Academy’s DofE Manager, I wanted to send you some information about what a DofE programme involves and invite your child to embark on their DofE journey.

About the DofE

The DofE is non-competitive and open to all young people – it's about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries. There are three levels of DofE programme which, when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award.

Through their DofE, students will make friends and memories and build traits like confidence, resilience and self-esteem, which can benefit mental health. They’ll gain skills and attributes for work and life, like problem-solving, team-working and self-motivation – and they’ll achieve an Award that’s recognised by top employers and can help them stand out when applying for: college, sixth form, apprenticeships, university or jobs.

To achieve their Bronze Award, participants must complete four sections: 

Skills, Volunteering, Physical and an Expedition.

Every young person’s DofE programme is personal to them – they can choose what they’d like to do for their Skills, Volunteering and Physical sections, and most activities can count. We will provide guidance and support, and students can either choose to continue an activity they already do or discover something completely new.

Activities for each section take a minimum of one hour a week over a set period of time, so they can fit the award around studying, hobbies and social lives. 

About the expedition

The Expedition section involves your child working as part of a small team to plan their expedition’s aim, choose a location and complete some training to make sure they're fully prepared – before spending two days and one night in the countryside.

Ahead of this, they will take part in training covering basic expedition principles and introducing them to expedition equipment alongside basic first aid. 

eDofE and the DofE app

Participants can create their DofE programme and record their progress using eDofE, the DofE’s digital system, available online at eDofE.org and through the DofE app – downloadable for free from Google Play and the App Store. 

If your child decides to enrol, we will set up their eDofE account and they will receive details of how to sign in and get started. We will also hold an eDofE launch session after the Easter Holidays.

Start thinking about the activities you would like to do by using the documents below for inspiration. When you join the DofE, you will have an initial meeting and it is important you have an idea of the activities you would like to do. 

DofE Documents