The Duke of Edinburgh Award aims to provide young people between 14 and 25 years of age with an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development, which is of the highest quality and the widest reach.

The award is open to all students over the age of fourteen. There are three levels of the award: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each level has four different sections which participants must complete over a certain amount of time.

Suggestions include cooking, knitting, playing a musical instrument, learning Mandarin, learning British sign language, speech and drama.

Suggestions include carbon footprint club, volunteering at charity shops, helping out at Sunday School, helping PE staff with training junior teams.

Suggestions include yoga, tennis, running, netball, hockey, swimming and pilates.

Each award involves completing an overnight hiking expedition which the School organises in Chelmsford, the Chilterns and in North Wales. A one night expedition is the requirement for Bronze, two for Silver and three nights for Gold. For the Gold Award, each participant must be involved in a week’s residential project completed individually. More details on activities can be found on the Duke of Edinburgh website

The Duke of Edinburgh scheme is a fantastic programme aimed at encouraging individuals to develop valuable life skills. It is a youth charity giving all young people the chance to reach their full potential.