Launched in the UK in 1956 as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the programme has now spread to 126 countries. The award is tough – deliberately so - but it is about challenging students as an individual, not about them having to reach specific standards set by someone else. Working closely with the programme co-ordinator, students will design their own award programme, set their own goals, and record their own progress. The only person they’ll compete against is themselves, by challenging their own beliefs about what they can achieve.

The programme is based around three levels, each successive one requiring more commitment. Students will have to be 14 or over for the Bronze award, participating for at least 6 months. For Silver, they’ll have to be 15 or over and make a commitment for at least a year. Looking ahead, beyond KS4, to gain the highly prestigious Gold award, they’ll have to be 16 or over and they’ll need to commit to the programme for more than 18 months.

Students will complete activities in four different areas (please click on the links below to download and read the section notes):

• Service can include community service projects, conservation work, voluntary service in hospitals or homes, or can include specialise training in areas like lifesaving and first aid.
• Adventurous journey is about adventure and discovery. Students can hike, ride or cycle, and on the way they’ll develop an understanding of the environment, and the importance of working as part of a team with a common purpose. They’ll learn the significance of training, preparation, self sufficiency and self-reliance.
• Skills is where they’ll develop personal interests and learn practical skills. They don’t have to reach any set standard: this is about them setting their own goals and measuring their progress against them.
• Physical recreation They’ll undertake organised and regular Physical Activity, showing perseverance and improving their fitness. They’ll record their own progress, as they participate in the individual or team sports of their choice.

Over 6 million young people worldwide have taken up the award challenge and we will encourage our students to join them. The International Award will support, enhance and extend everything students do at school, and they’ll have opportunities they’ll be glad they took up.