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Duke of Edinburgh IA

What is the D of E award?

The Duke of Edinburgh International award is the world’s leading youth achievement award, spanning over 60 years and it is active in over 140 nations. The award emphasises that not all learning happens in the classroom. Young people will gain personal and interpersonal skills that they can use throughout their life, equipping them for careers and working with others.

The award has three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold. The different levels push young people to their personal limits and when each award is completed they are presented with a prestigious award that is recognised worldwide by universities, colleges and workplaces. The Duke of Edinburgh award plays a great part in young people’s personal development and it has no competitive elements.

Young people will plan, complete and evaluate both independently and as part of team in order to be successful. In order to be successful students will complete a Service, Skill, Physical Recreation and an Adventurous Journey.

Service: young people will volunteer their time to provide a service to their community (eg: helping in a hotel/ retirement home/ charity)

Skill: this section encourages young people to develop their personal interests, practical and social skills (eg: learning a new musical instrument, coaching in a primary school)

Physical Recreation: this section encourages young people to participate in sport or other physical recreation with the aim to improve their health and fitness.

Adventurous journey: this section, and arguably the most exciting section is where young people undertake a team journey or expedition. As part of a small team participants will train, plan and complete a journey, with an aim, in an unfamiliar environment. Groups will take part in weekly training sessions.

A few examples of the training sessions are: First Aid, Countryside Code, Camping, Campsite cooking and nutrition, Map reading, Route planning etc. Mr Garner, Mr Sandiford and Mr Dunwell combine to coordinate the training sessions to ensure that students are as best prepared as possible for each expedition

Where it all started ?

The award started in the 1950’s in the UK and it was designed to attract young boys who didn’t want to join the popular Scouting Association. One year later the award was opened up to girls and ever since this the award has been growing and growing with around 47million young participants currently involved.

Who is taking part and what have they achieved?

Because of the age restrictions students can only start the Duke of Edinburgh award in Year 10 at Park Lane.
In 2016 the award was introduced here at Park Lane and since then the school has seen students collect over 30 Bronze awards and over 15 Silver awards, with more girls completing the award than boys. The first Gold expedition will take place in October 2019.

The prestigious awards ceremonies have taken place in the Old Town Hall next to the Astronomical Clock and at the České muzeum hudby, both over which see around 6 international schools attend and around 200 students collecting awards.

Why Park Lane?

Why not!? As more students are attending Park Lane than ever before, there is no better time to give students the opportunity to take part in this highly acclaimed award. Park Lane International School has several trained coordinators and assessors allowing participants to have the best and most rewarding experience possible. We look forward to having you join in the DofE award!