Duke of Edinburgh Award

The D of E Award is a voluntary, non-competitive programme giving young people the opportunity to experience new activities or develop existing skills and is achievable by any young person who chooses to take up the challenge.

The D of E programme inspires personal and social development through persistence and commitment.

Participation in the Award develops self-belief, self-confidence, independence, respect and understanding of others and a sense of responsibility.

Here at Chailey we offer both the Bronze and Silver Award. The programme is open to all Year 10 students who can achieve a Bronze award and year 11 students can achieve a Silver.

In order to achieve the D of E students must complete four separate sections; Volunteering, Skills, Physical and an Expedition. Students choose and work independently on the first three sections with advice and support available during the drop in sessions held every Thursday lunchtime. Full training is provided for the Expedition section.

Enrolment in the Award takes place during summer term prior to commencing the expedition training which begins in the autumn. Training sessions are run most Thursdays from 3.15 to 4.15pm during term time and over the occasional weekend in the spring and summer, the weekend training is mainly in the South Downs and Ashdown Forest areas. The final assessed expedition takes place on Ashdown Forest for Bronze participants and in either the Long Mynd area, New Forest or Brecon Beacons for Silver participants.

For further information or enquiries about the D of E Scheme, please contact:

Some quotes from previous participants:

"I really enjoyed the final expedition, with lots of map reading we didn't get lost once!! We worked really well together as a team and made it to the finish in excellent time. The weather was great and we all had a good laugh."

"I really enjoyed the expedition and I found that I could put my skills into action and was little surprised to find myself leading others at times."

"I learned so much, from map skills and working in a team. The only part I didn't like was the big hill."

"The expeditions were great fun but tiring. The walking was the most challenging but the reward at the finish made me have no regrets. The experience has helped me to keep going for longer and I am glad I did the award."

"I had a good weekend and coped well with carrying my rucksack – would have done better with our breakfast if one of our team hadn't forgotten the porridge!"

"It was a great weekend, where we had fun and also learned a lot to help us for the final expedition. It has given me the skills and confidence to do the final expedition." 

"The first night it got dark very quickly and we had to cook in the dark! This was probably better than looking at what we'd cooked! It tasted alright though! We then went for a night walk; it was quite cold but good fun."

 "I've learned loads of new skills, map reading, cooking on a small gas stove, how to keep warm and dry and how to carry a large rucksack without moaning. Above all I've learned to respect and work with other people."

 "Life isn't just about spending your weekends going shopping, it's about learning to live."