main content Duke of Edinburghs award scheme

The aim of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is to provide an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of activities for young people.

Key Principles

The key principles of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme are:

Non Competitive. The award is a personal challenge and not a competition against each other. Each participant's programme is tailor-made to reflect individual starting point, abilities and interests.
Available to All. With a commitment to equal opportunities, the award programme is available to all young people who choose to take up its challenge.
Voluntary. Young people make a free choice to enter the programme and commit their own time to undertake the activities.

Eligibility

The Scheme is for all young people aged 14 – 24, irrespective of interest and ability, background or gender.
Nationally recognised certificates of achievement can be obtained at three levels:
Bronze Award for those aged 14 and over.
Silver Award for those aged 15 and over.
Gold Award for those aged 16 and over.

Details

The Award operates through a system of delegated responsibility. The operating authority, the London Borough of Bromley, is licensed by the Award to operate the programme and to maintain its quality and standards. The responsibility is then delegated to the Bromley Youth Service, their award leaders, schools and open award centres.

This scheme:

provides a challenging programme of activities;
is non-academic and non-competitive;
leads to nationally recognised certificates of achievement at three levels (bronze, silver and gold);

The award groups are run by adults, many of whom are volunteers, including youth workers, teachers, employers, trainers, assessors and individuals from the community, all of whom are keen to share their skills, enthusiasm and organising abilities to help young people reach their potential.

The sections of the award include:

Service (helping other people in the local community);
Expeditions (training for, planning and completing a journey on foot, or horseback, by boat or cycle);
Skills (covering almost any hobby, skill or interest);
Physical recreation (sport, dance and fitness);
Residential project - Gold Award only (a purposeful enterprise with people not previously known to the participant).

How to Join

The London Borough of Bromley ensures Bromley Youth Services has award co-ordinators, who administer the award. Many schools in the Borough, including independent schools, have active groups. Enquire at your school or youth centre in the first instance or use the contact details below.

There is no joining fee, but you will be required to buy a record book for a few pounds for each level of the award you take.