Duke of Edinburgh Award
DofE 2025/26 launch & sign-up information
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a high quality, enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development activities for young people aged 14 – 25.
Key Dates
- Year 9 Bronze information evening - Monday 22nd September, 5-6pm in the dining hall
- Year 10 Silver & Year 12 Gold information evening - Thursday 25th September, 5-6pm in the dining hall
| BRONZE information | SILVER & GOLD information |
|---|---|
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To Sign Up, after the meetings
- Pay a deposit of £100 via ParentPay
- Complete enrolment forms (link on letter sent home)
Deadline for both is Friday 10th October. We are unable to accept late submissions after this date.
BRONZE
SILVER
GOLD
The school have been running a very successful Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme for well over 10 years, offering students a life-changing experiences.
Students have the chance to discover new interests & talents and develop skills for life and work.
It gives us great delight to share that 3 of our Year 13 students have just gained their Gold Duke of Edinburgh award, and are now awaiting the invitation to an event at the Royal Palace, attended by a member of the Royal family.
Attaining the Gold D of E award involves a minimum of a 4 day, 3 night expedition, volunteering for at least 12 months and a 5 day residential with at least 5 other people, amongst other things. This is a true testament to the hard work put in and is very well deserved.
How to submit assessor's reports
Further information on the award, can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions drop down menu below and on the main DofE website. There is also a useful booklet for parents/carers on how to support their child through the award, this can be found here.
Wildside Outdoors have prepared a document which we have called Key Information about kit for all levels - this is in the folder below.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact dofe@tringschool.org
Page Gallery
Photos below are from the Bronze Expedition May 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme?
The Duke of Edinburgh award was founded in 1956 by Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, and recognises the achievements of young people completing a specified series of activities that not only benefit the young person but also their community. Tring School has been running DofE awards since 2015 and currently have over 150 in the programme. Further information What is the DofE Award?
Why would my child benefit from completing the award?
There are a number of benefits to taking part: pushing personal boundaries; experiencing new activities and challenges; acquiring new skills; and enhancing a CV. DofE also makes participants highly attractive applicants to universities and potential employers. DofE helps participants develop leadership, teamwork, self-motivation, communication, confidence, consideration and the ability to learn. Further information.
Which year groups can participate in the DofE award scheme?
There are 3 progressive levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. At Tring School, we run DofE programmes in the following year groups:
- Year 9 – Bronze (new for 2024/25)
- Year 11 – Bronze or Silver, they will not be able to switch schemes (for 2024/25 only)
- Year 12 – Gold (Offered if minimum number of participants met)
Participants embarking on the Silver award do not need to have completed the Bronze award beforehand; similarly, participants about to start the Gold award do not need to have completed the Bronze or Silver awards, although they will find completing the award more straightforward and shorter if they have done.
How long does a DofE award take?
There are three levels of programme you can do which, when you’ve successfully completed them, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The main differences between them are the minimum length of time it takes to complete them and how challenging it is.
Please click on this link to head to the DofE website to read their information about timescales.
Does it matter if my son/daughter cannot commit to one of the expedition dates or the training day?
Unfortunately, yes, participants do need to commit to the training day in full, the practice expedition and the qualifying expedition in order to successfully complete their DofE award. The training day forms part of the award itself and teaches participants the skills they will need to successfully complete their expeditions. These will include basic navigation, cooking a meal, using a stove, pitching a tent, packing a rucksack and first aid.
What activities can my son/daughter choose for the Volunteering, Physical and Skill sections?
There are a vast array of activities to choose from – participants need to check the official DofE Ideas for Activities page on the official DofE website (www.dofe.org/sections). Also see the document in the folder at the bottom of the page Approved Activity Providers
If the above does not answer your questions, please look on the DofE website or email dofe@tringschool.org
