Skip to content ↓

The Duke of York's Royal Military School

A co-educational boarding school for students aged 11-18

DofE

The Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh Award, or DofE, has been run successfully at Duke of York’s Royal Military school for many years and has become a prominent part of school life, reflecting the school values and military ethos.

The concept of the DofE is very simple – anyone aged between 14 and 25 can take part in a programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. At DOYRMS, all Year 9 students participate in the Bronze award scheme, Silver is offered to Year 10 and Gold in Year 12.

For each level, there are four sections students need to complete in order to achieve their full award. With assistance from staff, participants select and set objectives in each of the following areas:

  • Volunteering: undertaking service to individuals or the community.
  • Physical: improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities.
  • Skills: developing practical and social skills and personal interests.
  • Expedition: planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey.

Each section must be carried out regularly and for a minimum period of time. It must be monitored and assessed by someone with knowledge of that particular activity to achieve an Award. Each progressive level demands more time and commitment from participants. This is all tracked and recorded on the online platform students are enrolled on called eDofE.

At DOYRMS we are in a very fortunate position to have a fully equipped stores where students can borrow much of their expedition kit from tents and ruck sacks, to waterproofs and water bottles. Our students will need to provide their own personal clothing appropriate for walking and a pair of walking boots with ankle support.

School sports and clubs can contribute towards the DofE Award and regular training for the expedition section takes place during club slots. Expeditions for the Bronze award take place locally during May and June, Silver award expeditions take pace in Kent during June and October, with Gold award expeditions generally taking place in Dartmoor during March and Wales in July.

The award is well respected both nationally and internationally, and it helps to broaden the experiences and skills our students develop at DOYRMS. Many further education institutes and businesses look favourably on students with these awards when assessing applications. Although students will develop skills including navigation, camp craft, first aid and team work, the emphasis is very much on the participants taking ownership of their own award and enjoying themselves.

DofE Coordinator: Lieutenant Colonel Mark Ellis
Mark.Ellis@doyrms.com