Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme going from strength to strength at The Westgate School

More than half of the current Year 9 pupils at The Westgate School are working towards their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE), a remarkable testament to the determination and commitment of the year group. 

The DofE programme is open to all young people aged 14–24. At The Westgate School, pupils sign up at the end of Year 8, ready to begin their journey in the September of Year 9. Each participant designs their own programme, selecting  a skill to develop and choosing a cause where they dedicate time to volunteering. A highlight of the Bronze Award is the expedition: a two-day, one-night adventure along the South Downs Way. 

As a Duke of Edinburgh Licensed Organisation, The Westgate School provides regular meetings and guidance to support pupils at every stage, from finding volunteering opportunities to preparing for the expedition. Thanks to this structured support which teaches pupils how to plan to succeed, the school consistently achieves the highest completion rate in the area. 

Once pupils complete their Bronze Award, many progress to Silver. Although places at The Westgate School are limited, students can continue their journey through other DofE centres. This October, the school celebrated an outstanding achievement: 33 out of 35 pupils successfully gained their Silver Award. 

Pupil feedback was incredibly positive with comments such as: 

“DofE is an experience that some people only get once in a lifetime, and it really develops you as a person.” Oren L 

“I gained a new group of friends and got to know new people I wouldn’t have spoken to otherwise.” Florence S 

“I would recommend DofE to younger pupils because you learn lots of valuable survival skills and it teaches you to work well in a team.” Rex M 

For more information about DofE please contact Mr Hurley.