The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

In any year around 90 Sidcot pupils are following the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. They enrol at Bronze level in year 10 and can move onto Silver and Gold awards as they progress into the Sixth Form. New entrants to the school can join the scheme at any time. The award scheme is non-competitive and helps pupils to develop confidence and a sense of responsibility. The areas of Skill, Physical Recreation, Service and Expedition combine to produce a rounded individual and the completion of awards gives pupils a sense of achievement and a valuable addition to their c.v.

Expedition Section

For most pupils the expeditions are the most memorable parts of the award. Training takes place in the Mendips close to the School and pupils learn basic skills of navigation, campcraft and first aid. This gives preparation for backpacking expeditions which take place in the Summer or Autumn terms. We are fortunate to be close to several wild hill areas and take groups to the Quantocks, Exmoor, Dartmoor, Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons. For those wanting to sample more challenging terrain, trips have been organised to Scotland and Snowdonia.

The expeditions and training are supervised by experienced staff with Graham Hartley (Bronze), Jim Scott (Silver) and Tim Tur (Gold) in overall charge. The school has a good supply of camping equipment but pupils are asked to provide their own hiking boots, full waterproofs, sleeping bag and 60 – 70 litre rucksack.

Service Section

Service to the community is an important part of the award package and pupils spends free time on service projects either around the School or in their own communities. Popular choices on the School campus or nearby are: paper recycling, helping in the school shop where cans and plastic are recycled, helping with clubs for younger pupils or the Junior School after school club, work in a charity shop or assisting on expedition training days or in the expedition store. The Duke of Edinburgh is an excellent way of fulfilling the service section in CAS (creativity, action, service) for the International Baccalaureate.

Skill (or hobby) and Physical Recreation Sections

The School’s programme of activities provides numerous opportunities for pupils to complete these sections. Popular choices for Physical Recreation are: school teams, badminton club. swimming, basketball, aerobics and netball. For Skill, playing musical instruments, involvement in a school productions or joining an after school club like chess, IT or gardening are a few of the many choices on offer.

Overview of the Award Scheme

The summary below indicates the level of commitment needed for each award. Participants should spend an average of one hour per week on each activity over the period indicated. More details about the award scheme at Sidcot can be obtained from Jim Scott.

• Bronze: 3 months for two of the three sections (Service, Skill and Physical Recreation), 6 months for one section. Expedition training, a practice expedition and a 2 day final expedition with overnight camp.
• Silver: 6 months for Service and 3 months and 6 months for the other two sections. Training and a practice expedition for a three day, two night final expedition. Pupils who start Silver without completing Bronze must complete an extra six months in one of the six month sections.
• Gold: As for Silver but with the times for each section doubled. The expedition is a 4 day venture and in addition a residential 5 day course away from home must be completed.

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