Duke of Edinburgh

This is a nationally recognised qualification which demonstrates your abilities in a wide range of activities.

Many colleges and future employers value persons achieving these awards. Silver is often credited as worth more than a good grade in a GCSE. Young adults who have completed Silver/Gold have demonstrated:
Leadership and team player qualities, independence, good organisational skills, commitment, fitness, concern and care of others and are individuals with real interests and hobbies.

At Hayesfield, we offer two levels of entry to the D of E Award: Silver and Gold. Each award will take a minimum of two years to complete.

It can lead into and prepare young adults for adventure, travel and exciting Gap Year experiences.

Hayesfield's Expectations

Staff who organise and run the D of E scheme give freely of their weekends for you to have this opportunity. Participating students are expected to demonstrate:
One hundred percent commitment, to be self organised and cooperative when working with both peers and staff.
Before committing, a taster session will be organised to assess whether this is for you and whether we feel you are capable of succeeding.

Silver Award

There are four separate components that make up the Silver Award:

Volunteering
This is aimed at encouraging service to individuals and the community. For example, it can include: First Aid, Charity Work and Sports Leader.

Skill
To encourage the discovery and development of personal interests. In the past, students have pursued: Fishing, Musical Activities and Photography.

Physical Recreation
To encourage participation and improvement in physical recreation and fitness. For example: Cycling, Judo, Netball and Basketball.

Each of the above must be pursued for one hour per week. The Skill and Physical Recreation for three to twelve months, the Volunteering must be for six months. Mrs Robinson will hold one to one sessions with each participant to monitor progress of these components.

Expedition
This includes a formal assessment of three days hill walking and two nights camping. In preparation for this, students will learn navigation skills, camp craft, first aid and participate in a number of practice expeditions. Students work together in small groups of about four to six members. This part of the Award is organised and shared with Beechen Cliff School.

The training will include:

March	Ring of Bath	One Day
	Cotswold Way	One Day
May	South Wales	Weekend Camp
October	Dartmoor	Weekend Camp
April	South Wales	Pre Assessment Camp
May	Wales	Three Day Assessment

Gold Award

There are five separate components that make up the Gold Award. Staff will train and prepare you for the assessment component of this award. All other components, listed below, will be for you to organise and record.

Volunteering
This is aimed at encouraging service to individuals and the community. For example, it can include: First Aid, Fund Raising, Charity Work and Sports Leader.

Skill
To encourage the discovery and development of personal interests. In the past, students have pursued: Fishing, Musical Activities and Photography.

Physical Recreation
To encourage participation and improvement in physical recreation and fitness. For example: Cycling, Judo, Netball and Basketball.

Each of the above must be pursued for one hour per week. There is a time allowance of six, twelve or eighteen months allocated for each of these components.

Residential
This must involve at least five days and four nights.

Expedition
This includes a formal expedition assessment of four days hill walking and three nights camping. Assessment will depend on experience of the candidate.
Training will include:

January (Year 12)	Weekend
September (Year 13)	Weekend
January (Year 13)	Weekend

Further training, dependant on past experience (direct entry or continuing on from Silver/Bronze). This may include training alongside Silver participants.

Other Information

How much will this cost?
The sum of £185 is payable to Hayesfield Girls' School for each Award. This covers the costs for the expedition component: All transport costs (minibus hire and fuel), camping costs, enrolment and logbook.
(Cost of food is not included; students working in their groups plan menus and purchase food to suit their taste).
Payment is due following the taster day.

The school and PTFA support these activities financially through purchase of equipment, funding supply cover costs and investing in staff training.

What equipment will I need?
Suitable equipment for hill walking and camping is necessary. We have invested in tents, waterproofs, rucksacks, cooking equipment etc. These can be hired at a small cost that enables us to maintain and sustain our equipment.

Which teachers are involved?
Mrs S Robinson (oversees the Award Scheme at Hayesfield)
Mrs L Young, Mr N Isaac, Miss H May
Mr J Young (Beechen Cliff)

L-R: Miss May, Mr Isaac, Mrs Robinson, Mrs Young

All staff listed are qualified to deliver expedition activities.

Please note, it is the parents responsibility to ensure they inform the school prior to each expedition if there are any concerns (including health or wellbeing) regarding their daughter which may affect their performance.
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For more information, please either speak with Mrs Robinson or visit the Duke of Edinburgh Website

Recent Expeditions

Dartmoor Duke of Edinburgh Expedition – September 2010

Well done to 61 Beechen Cliff and Hayesfield Year 11 Silver students, and seven Year 13 Gold students, who took part in the Duke of Edinburgh Expedition.

Dartmoor was the venue for a weekend of wild camping and hard walking across the rough moors around Princetown. They all worked very well in their teams and dispite some very cold nights were all cheerful and happy when they arrived at their check-points.

We are very pleased with their progress towards their final expeditions at Silver level in April and the trip to Morocco in the summer for the Golds.

The Duke of Edinburgh staff