The Duke of Edinburgh Award is in its 5th successful year at Manchester Academy, with 18 students embarking on their Silver Award, and 60 students aiming to achieve their Bronze award this year which is the most recruits that have been taken onto the award in previous years.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award was once again opened up to year 10 students with over 75% of the year group applying for a place. The popularity of the award is testament to previous students, who over the last four years have successfully completed and promoted the award in the school and local community.
The DofE award is gaining such popularity that Manchester Academy has just been mentioned in the National DofE Award newsletter which will be seen by participants, schools, colleges, universities and independent DofE operating authorities.
Training for the award takes place throughout the year, including a weekend at Ghyll Head OEC, in preparation for practice and final expeditions in the summer term. Students working towards their award complete volunteering activities each week for 3 – 6 months while learning a new skill and also participating in a physical activity in order to gain the prestigious award. Training sessions take place every Wednesday.
Within these sessions, students learn how to plan and prepare for expeditions, learn map reading skills and how to use a compass, country side code, first aid, cooking skills and basic survival skills.
Taking part will mean that participants will:
- have a great time and meet new people;
- improve your personal and social development;
- experience a range of exciting, challenging situations and new activities;
- develop new skills and discover new interests;
- become independent and build their self-confidence
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is gaining popularity around the school with pupils from years 7, 8 and 9 already asking to sign up. With this amount of interest, we are hoping that in future years, we can expand the amount of participants we take onto the award and also offer it to the 6th Form as part of their enrichment programme.
Participating on the award is challenging, but it is also a really enjoyable and rewarding experience which concludes with a highly respected qualification.
For more information about the award, the history about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Manchester Academy and how to apply for a place, please see Miss Riley.
By Ms Riley
Duke of Edinburgh's Award Co-ordinator
Manchester Academy