The West Bridgford School is one of the largest providers of DofE in the country. Enrolling in the region of 300 students each year across all three award levels.

Most notably, recently boasting a cohort of 45 gold students in 2025/26. We’re thrilled to be able to offer our students this opportunity in their personal development.

 

What is it?

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural, and adventurous activities, designed to support the personal and social development of young people aged 13 -25. It offers an individual challenge and encourages young people to undertake exciting, constructive, and enjoyable activities in their free time, with a well-recognised award at the end.

More information about the DofE award and the different activities can be found on the DofE website.

 

Enrolment

Students can enrol in the DofE at WBS in the following year groups:

• Bronze at Year 9
• Silver at Year 10
• Gold at Year 12

In July of year 9 (after timetable promotion) year 9 will receive an information assembly explaining what the award is, and how to enrol. Parent of years 9 and 10 will also receive information via email. This will include pricing for that year, and key dates.

Payments for bronze and silver registration costs are taken over the summer and close usually around the second week back at school in September.

Payment for the gold award open at the start of the school year in September, and will close at the start of October. This is just for the registration fee to get started.

 

Expedition provider

We work with a company called Wayahead Training (Wayahead website) to provide our expeditions, and have done for a number of years. Their instructors are qualified, competent and professional, and we know we’re putting our young people in their very safe hands.

The use of the Approved Activity Provider (AAP) does increase costs compared to having our own trained staff, but this means that we can facilitate expeditions for a much larger number without having to impose any upper limit on the number of attendees.

 

Activating DofE accounts and using eDofE

Upon enrolment, students at bronze level will receive an email to their school email account. Silver and gold participants will have the new level added to their existing accounts.

 

Students will be assigned a member of staff to act as their leader. They will be responsible for tracking progress and assisting the students. This will include:

• Approving student activities to make sure they are appropriate
• Approving the evidence students have collected (including their Assessor Reports)
• Approving the total award

It is the responsibility of the student to inform their leader of any issues they are having, be that issues with the computer system or problems with the sections themselves.

 

It is worth reminding parents/carers that it is up to the students to complete their award and I would encourage all parents/carers to encourage their child to take ownership of all aspects of this. For example, I would expect to see a student asking questions in school rather than a parent/carer sending an email as a first port of call. This is not only an easier way to resolve most issues, but also encourages students to take ownership of these challenges.

 

Here is a video explaining the full award. how it works at WBS, and how to login for the first time

 

Key information for Duke of Edinburgh 2025/26 season

 

Useful resources